Australia is full of the most amazing animals on the planet! What animal has 6 thumbs? What animal produces square poo? What animal is made of 95 per cent water and is highly venomous? Discover the answers to these questions and more in this factastic tour of Australian animals.

An enchanting collection of lullabies, chosen and illustrated by well-known Australian artists. They use collage, pen and ink, gouache, chalk, charcoal, pencil and watercolour to present a varied, visual experience of the lullabies.

Ada Rios grew up in Cateura, a small town in Paraguay built on a landfill. Her family were recyclers of trash. With little money, Ada's dream to play the violin was never possible. When music teacher, Favio Chavez, arrived, he wanted to give the children something special. He made instruments out of materials found in the trash, a crazy idea that would leave Ada and her town forever changed. Now, The Recycled Orchestra plays around the world, spreading their message of hope and innovation. Based on a true story.

ISBN 9781481430951

Publisher Simon & Schuster, 2016

Hood, Susan & Wern Comport, Sally (ill)

5947

Adelaide's secret world

In the midst of the city, Adelaide leads a quiet life. At night, she listens to the song of the stars. During the day, she watches over the others that are like her - the still ones, the quiet ones, and those who dance and dream alone. Little does Adelaide know that her secret world will soon be transformed into something unexpected and full of joy.

Riley has lots of adventures that involve saving animals. Any two books from this series may be read as Challenge books; up to five more can be read as personal choice books. Go to the Series lists for individual book titles.

Series
Adventures of Riley series
(8 books)

Lumry, Amanda & Hurwitz, Laura (ill)

14101

Adventures of Riley: dolphins in danger

Riley travels to the South Pacific island of Moorea with his Uncle Max, Aunt Martha and Cousin Alice. Their mission is to study spinner dolphins and enjoy swimming, having surfing lessons and close encounters with humpback whales. When several dolphins become trapped in a local lagoon, Riley may not realise that he holds the key to their survival.

ISBN 9780545068406

Series
Adventures of Riley series
(8 books)

Publisher Scholastic US, 2010

Lumry, Amanda & Hurwitz, Laura (ill)

2934

Adventures of Riley: outback odyssey

Riley, his cousin Alice, Aunt Martha and Uncle Max visit the Australian outback to research the local koala population, suffering due to drought, bushfires and farming in its natural habitat. While staying at a working sheep station, they see lots of native animals and Riley saves the sheep from a wild dingo. Scientists appearing in small portraits provide factual information about koalas and their habitat.

Riley and family fly north to Canada, to watch polar bears. There's just one problem: no ice. For polar bears, no ice means no seals, and without food, the bears can quickly become hungry, weak, and dangerous.

ISBN 9780545068383

Series
Adventures of Riley series
(8 books)

Publisher Scholastic Australia, 2010

Lumry, Amanda & Hurwitz, Laura (ill)

2844

Adventures of Riley: project panda

Riley, who is nine, receives a call for help from his Uncle Max a globe-trotting, research scientist. This time they must find a missing panda in the Jiuzhaigou Valley, twelve hundred kilometres west of Beijing, China. Scientists appearing in small portraits provide factual information about pandas and their habitat.

Journey to Australia's Great Barrier Reef with Riley and his family as they see what's up down under. Large areas of the coral reef are dying and they need to find out why. Joined by Wyland, world-renowned marine artist and conservationist, the crew faces giant starfish, great white sharks and even poachers in their search for answers.

Riley embarks on an expedition with his aunt, his cousin and his Uncle Max to track animals in South Africa. Scientists appearing in small portraits provide factual information about animals native to South Africa and their habitat.

ISBN 9780545068260

Series
Adventures of Riley series
(8 books)

Publisher Scholastic US, 2009

Lumry, Amanda & Hurwitz, Laura (ill)

25258

Adventures of Riley: South Pole penguins

Riley joins Uncle Max on a voyage to the South Pole to find out if the penguins of Antarctica are getting their fill of krill, or whether climate change has reshaped the food web. Home to whales, seals, penguins and most of the world's ice, Antarctica is the coldest place on Earth. Riley learns valuable lessons about survival and cooperation.

Riley journeys to the Terai Arc region of India and Nepal in search of the elusive Bengal tiger. Riley's research leads to exciting encounters with some weird and wild animals, such as an Asian rhino and a king cobra, and a better understanding of the local culture.

Ten year old Ali is a refugee. Accompanied by his grandmother, Ali had to flee his home country of Afghanistan to avoid the conflicts caused by war. In his own words, Ali documents his feelings of alienation, separation and suffering, and the thread of hope that helped him overcome his ordeal.

Join the Alpha quest, a journey in search of treasure. Everyone is desperate to find the riches - Eagle and Emu, the Goldfish in Gliders, the Knight, the Pirate Pig, even the Violent Viking. But, only you can find the hidden pieces of the key to unlock the treasure.

Aditya and Anjali love listening to their grandmother's stories, especially the scary one about a ghost in the tree. The night their grandmother dies her stories lose their meaning until something happens that is more mysterious and magical than any story. Could their grandmother still be with them?

ISBN 9781911373025

Publisher Lantana Publishing, 2016

Manivannan, Sharanya & Canzi, Nerina (ill)

57774

And Tango makes three

At New York City's Central Park Zoo, two male penguins fall in love and start a family by taking turns to sit on an abandoned egg until it hatches.

ISBN 9780689878459

Publisher Simon & Schuster, 2005

Richardson, Justin & Parnell, Peter

27818

Andy Webb: Artist

Andy Web studied Art at the National Gallery. It was his dream to exhibit there one day. How will he ever achieve his dream? Join Andy, the original artist-in-residence, as he gets up close and personal with the great masters to learn all he can about art.

High above the rooftops of Rome, Angelo begins his work restoring the facade of a once glorious church. When he finds an injured pigeon, Angelo nurses it back to health and they become good friends. Angelo is worried about what will happen to the pigeon when he dies and comes up with a plan to make sure the pigeon is safe.

ISBN 9781842708422

Publisher Andersen Press Ltd, 2008

Macaulay, David

640

Animalia

This stunning book of illustrations from A to Z has hidden puzzles and ideas that fascinate all ages.

Tom is very scared of animals. He imagines being eaten by a dog, squeezed to death by a snake, spiders crawling up his nose and birds pecking off his ears. But, Tom has the scariest secret weapon of all.

Anton has a magic hat. A real one. He wants to do some magic and make things disappear. Anton tries to make a tree vanish but it's too big. But, when he is successful in making someone disappear, Anton desperately wants him to come back.

An author and some very curious children, with lots of questions, collaborate to write and illustrate a story. The kids become part of the story and let their imaginations run wild, becoming inspired to create tales of their own. Find out how brilliant ideas creep up on you when you least expect it and how words sometimes float out of nowhere, asking to be written.

ISBN 9781760113179

Publisher Allen & Unwin Pty Ltd, 2014

Gay, Marie-Louise

7706

Anzac puppy, The

Freda was the loyal, good-luck mascot of a brave young soldier, battling explosions on the Western Front.

ISBN 9781775430971

Publisher Scholastic New Zealand, 2014

Millett, Peter & Bowles, Trish

4158

Anzac tree, The

In 1916, two brothers planted two trees on their farm. They then headed far away to France to fight in the Great War. The Anzac tree tells the story of a century of Australian generations who went to war, and the story of those who were left behind.

April and Esme Underhill have never collected a tooth before. Mum and Dad have always done it but, tonight, it's their turn. So, equipped with a bag, a coin and a mobile phone, the sisters head for Daniel Dangerfield's house, and a very unusual first tooth visit.

Matthew and his grandfather sail to his grandfather's island. They discover the love that can exist between a child and his grandfather, the beauty and ferocity of the sea and the joy and exhilaration of sailing, even in a wheelchair.

Join Grace and her family on their adventurous and, sometimes, funny expedition around Australia. A warm, heartfelt story based on an actual journey undertaken by the award-winning author and illustrator, Alison Lester.

Have a close look at twenty-one famous paintings and discover how each artist uses colour, techniques and secrets to delight you. Be an art sleuth and find items and details in each painting that, at first glance, might not be so obvious.

ISBN 9781631591310

Publisher Quarto Group, 2016

DiGiovanni Evans, Brooke

15727

Aristotle

Delightful story of a young kitten who becomes a witch's cat and goes through most of his nine lives being rescued by his kind witch, Bella Donna.

An off-the-wall picture book about Arno who lives in the middle of his family's junkyard making him unpopular, mostly because of the smell. But, when Arno brings an exciting invention to school made from recycled garbage, the situation changes.

Max and Arthur are friends who share an interest in painting. Arthur is an accomplished painter while Max is a beginner. Max's first attempt at using a paintbrush sends the two friends on a whirlwind trip through various artistic media, which turn out to have unexpected pitfalls. Although Max is inexperienced, his energy and enthusiasm bring the adventure to its triumphant conclusion.

ISBN 9780864619297

Publisher Koala Books, 2010

Wiesner, David

778

Arthur's dream boat

Arthur has an amazing dream about a pink and green boat with a striped mast. He can't wait to tell his family about it. But when he tries, no one (not even the dog) is interested in listening. In fact, they don't even notice when the very same boat gradually appears on his head, growing larger and larger by the minute.

It's summer and time to head to Crabby Spit. I've been crabspotting, riding my bike, surfing and swimming, and looking at stars. With a bit of luck, I'll be having fish and chips for dinner. The only problem is my things keep disappearing.

Many thousands of years ago, the first people arrived in Australia and made this land their home. When Europeans arrived in the late 1700s, things changed forever. Now, Australia is home to children of many cultures and backgrounds, whose lives have changed over time.Enjoy spotting what has stayed the same and what is different in clothing, housing, activities, food and games.

Baabwaa is a sheep who loves to knit. Wooliam is a sheep who loves to read. It sounds boring but they like it. But one day, they decide they could do with a bit of an adventure, so they set off for a walk around the field. Just then, quite unexpectedly, a third sheep shows up. A funny-looking sheep who might just be that wolf in sheep's clothing Wooliam has read about.

ISBN 9780763660741

Publisher Candlewick Press, 2017

Elliott, David & Sweet, Melissa (ill)

1975

Baby pie

When three little trolls, Oink, Boink and Moink, go out hunting for a baby for their baby pie, they are in for a big surprise.

Badly drawn dog believes he's too scribbly and smudgy, and seeks out an artist to redraw him. But, each new drawing of him is not quite right. A delightful book about appearances and beauty being in the eye of the beholder.

ISBN 9780340878071

Publisher Hodder Children's Books (Australia), 2005

Dodson, Emma

4795

Bag and a bird, A

One day, a long time ago when I lived in Kirribilli, Sydney, I packed a lunch and set out to walk to the Botanic Gardens. I crossed the Harbour Bridge then climbed down to Circular Quay. I walked beside the sea wall, past the Botanic gardens. And this is what I saw.

Foolish Bajirriga, an Aboriginal boy, fails to cooperate with his community, preferring to go to the beach and swim while they gather food. Ignoring his parents' advice to come out of the water, he begins to transform into a turtle.

Tilly, a young ballerina, is preparing and practising for a big ballet concert. Gorgeous illustrations.

ISBN 9781843624134

Publisher Orchard Books, 2004

Geras, Adele & McNicholas, Shelagh (ill)

614

Ballroom bonanza

The most amazing dance contest you will ever see including affluent alpacas, groovy goats and impetuous impalas. The donkeys demonstrate the disco, flamingos do the flamenco and hippos perform the hip-hop. When the band's instruments are hidden, you will have to help find them so that the competition can continue. Beautifully crafted rhyme with exquisite illustrations with mystery and monkey business.

A girl visits her Grandfather's house. Grandpa pours tea from a watering can and a kangaroos washes the dishes. Lots more funny jokes and odd events happen.

ISBN 9781865045658

Publisher Scholastic Australia, 2003

Legge, David

74181

Bat and the crocodile, The

This story comes from the Aboriginal people at Warmun (Turkey Creek) in Western Australia. It was told in the Kija language. Describes why bats now live in caves because of the killing of a fellow creature.

A bull seal loses his dominion as beachmaster over his section of beach and takes on a nearby car park, falling for a Morris Minor car. Whimsical story set in New Zealand, with lots of factual information about seals and their habits.

ISBN 9781869484286

Publisher Reed Publishing, 2006

Liddell, Carmel & Potter, Bruce (ill)

9562

Bear tale, A

Join Ted on a humorous trip exploring the slumps of bears and the wisdom of owls.

Deep in a forest cave, a mother bear gives birth to two tiny cubs. As they grow, she teaches them how to climb and fish, and all the things they need to know to survive in the wild. For one day, during the second summer, they will leave her to find homes of their own.

When Ben and Gracie visit the art gallery, a gold coin transports them into the paintings of artist Frederick McCubbin. They venture back in time, meeting and travelling with new settlers to Australia. Ben and Gracie see the difficulties faced in the harsh Australian bush environment. As they venture deeper into the forest, the pair lose their way as night falls.

Everyone may have been scared of Big Black Dog but Big Black Dog was scared of everything. Until, one day he has to be very brave. Find out if Big Black Dog will save his friend or if his fears win out.

ISBN 9781406302172

Publisher Walker Books, 2005

Glicksman, Caroline

45607

Big blue whale

An introduction to these magnificent whales, the largest animals that have ever lived on earth. Davies is a zoologist who expresses, in beautiful language, factual information about blue whales.

This book invokes both a feeling of listlessness and of expectation. The children in an Aboriginal camp in northern Australia are waiting. Uncle Stephen predicts the big wet is coming but, day after day, the hot, dry weather continues.

Far inland, where ocean is a dim memory, the sun floats on the waves of another bake-earth day. In the long shadows, a big red kangaroo licks his forearms and lets the early evening breeze wash over him.

Meet Billie B Brown. She's brave, brilliant and bold and will become your best friend in no time. Any two titles read from this series can be included as official Challenge books; up to five more titles can be included as your personal choice books. To see the individual book titles and their PRC ID numbers, go to the Series lists on the Booklists page, on the website. Or, you can search for a series name or the individual titles by using the Search function on the top left hand corner of the screen.

Series
Billie B Brown & Billie B Mystery series
(30 books)

Rippin, Sally & Fukuoka, Aki (ill)

3035

Billie B Brown: birthday mix-up, The

Billie's party is going to be the best ever. She has lots of fun games planned. But what if Billie's friends don't like her party, or what if they don't come.

This is the story of one bird, one seed and one tree. When a bird drops a seed to the floor of an English forest, who could imagine that it would be the start of a journey that continued across thousands of kilometres to Australia and into future generations.

ISBN 9781925381122

Publisher Walker Books, 2018

Saxby, Claire & Harris, Wayne (ill)

12094

Birds build nests

Where, how and why birds build nests written in charming verses filled with highly descriptive language and beautiful illustrations.

ISBN 9781876289355

Publisher Scholastic Australia, 2001

Winer,Yvonne & Oliver, Tony (ill)

9558

Birth of the moon, The

The sun gives the moon as a gift to the animals, but it makes the moon come and go to remind the animals to appreciate it. Exciting pictures of the moon and the sun.

ISBN 9780735812499

Publisher North South Books, 2000

Hol, Coby

17958

Bittangabee Tribe: an Aboriginal story from coastal New South Wales

Explores the story of a family living on the coast of south-east Australia who travel to the Australian Alps in the summer to meet with other tribes and feast on Bogong moths. At the end of the season they travel back to their home for lobster season. Includes references to Indigenous trading, Aboriginal lifestyle pre-colonisation, bush tucker, traditional language and boundary divisions and Indigenous seasons.

A retelling of Henny Penny, substituting Australian animals and the bush environment. The sky is falling and Blossom Possum gathers the bushland creatures to journey beyond the black stump in search of the Prime Minister.

On a hill near a village, an old man lives with a strange collection of unwanted animals. Mutual fear and distrust keep the villagers and the old man apart until a boat appears.

ISBN 9780864616388

Publisher Koala Books, 2004

Ward, Helen & Andrew, Ian (ill)

4277

Book

In a world dazzled by the latest gadgets and mesmerized by Internet videos, the humble book seems like the most ordinary thing that could be. And, perhaps it is, until you learn to look closer and closer and closer. Suddenly, you're in a world that only you can imagine.

ISBN 9781939629654

Publisher Familius, 2015

Miles, David & Hoopes, Natalie (ill)

96083

Boris Monster scared of nothing

Boris is so scary and so ugly he scares himself when he catches a glimpse of himself in a mirror. To be forced to stay in a room full of mirrors would be the worst fate he could imagine. When Boris takes up ballet, he must face his worst fears.

A father invents the best toy in the world to keep his son company while he goes away. In the beginning, the boy also thinks that the toy is wonderful, it can do anything. But, over time, the boy starts to wonder about the toy and begins to change his mind.

Whenever Harry is made to do something he doesn't like, he shouts 'Wolf' and everyone runs away. This means that Harry is left to do exactly what he wants. A retelling of a famous fable, with an unexpected ending.

ISBN 9781842708330

Publisher Andersen Press Ltd, 2008

Ross, Tony

9478

Bravest ever bear, The

A picture book about the bravest bear, the persistent penguin, opportunistic wolf, boastful bear and sly dragon. The problem is everyone wants to tell the story their own way.

ISBN 9780744578645

Publisher Walker Books, 2001

Ahlberg, Allan

31866

Bravo

Once upon a time, there was a little girl called Helena. Her life was almost perfect. Only one thing spoiled it. Helena's father couldn't speak normally. Everything he said came out in a roar and was way too loud.

ISBN 9781877467721

Publisher Gecko Press, 2011

Waechter, P & Port, M; Spencer, S (trans)

4147

Brown dog, The

The brown dog often visits Henry on rainy, grey afternoons. Usually he doesn't hang around for long. But this time the brown dog decides to stay, and Henry needs to find a way to make him leave.

Brucie, the joey kangaroo, loves reading books and doing science reports. When a catastrophe occurs that will prevent Santa from delivering the presents, Brucie must use all his smarts to help Santa fly the ute on Christmas Eve.

A bumblebee queen's life is a busy one. She pollinates plants, builds wax honey-pots and lays eggs to produce future queens, male drones and the workers who make honey and defend the colony. Sadly, bumblebee numbers are in dramatic decline.

There has been a terrible drought and a multitude of Australian birds put on a gala concert to cheer themselves up. There is singing and dancing and magic tricks, but the final performance is the perfect end to a wonderful bush concert. Told in humorous rhyme.

Ernestine is in over her head. From Monday through to Sunday, Ernestine's week is packed with after-school lessons. She does tuba, knitting, sculpting, water ballet, yoga, yodelling and karate. Overwhelmed and exhausted, Ernestine decides to take matters into her own hands.

ISBN 9780979974694

Publisher Flashlight Press, 2011

Ravin Lodding, Linda & Beaky, Suzanne (ill)

72124

Butterflies in my stomach and other school hazards

On his first day of school, a little boy struggles with missing his dog and the oddities of the English language. Perhaps he really will be in a big pickle on the bus. He doesn't want to open a can of worms but it is all a bit confusing.

Butterfly is no ordinary girl. On the day she is born, jealous Romola casts a wicked spell that causes little Butterfly to grow wings. She is different from all the other children, but when the future of the circus is put in danger, Butterfly finds a way to save it from closing.

One day, a stranger arrives in Camille's town. He has a straw hat and a yellow beard. The man turns out to be the artist Vincent van Gogh. This is an introduction to the great painter, seen through the eyes of a young boy entranced by his painting.

ISBN 9780711210509

Series
Famous artists (Anholt) series
(10 books)

Publisher Frances Lincoln, 2001

Anholt, Laurence

5188

Can a skeleton have an x-ray

From the practical to the philosophical, the interesting and big questions in this book are guaranteed to fire your imagination.

Two young children from different racial and cultural backgrounds are asked to collaborate on a set of poems. They write about lots of different subjects showing their very different perspectives on issues such as religion, identity and friendship, finally coming to some kind of understanding of each other and the world they live in.

ISBN 9781512404425

Publisher Carolrhoda Books, 2018

Latham, Irene & Walters, Charles & Allko, Selina & Qualls, Sean

15553

Can you whistle, Johanna

Berra doesn't have a grandfather and Ulf suggests there are plenty of old men at the retirement home who would do as a grandfather. They go there to find a grandfather, ideally one who eats pig's trotters, invites you to tea and who can teach you to whistle.

ISBN 9781571430571

Publisher Gecko Press, 2005

Stark, Ulf

13850

Cassowary's egg, The

Carla, a very bossy cassowary, leaves her partner, Calvin, to look after their egg for twenty-one days. But, the egg gets stolen and Calvin must find a way to get it back before Carla returns.

Cat, the dog, Little Red, the exploding eggs, the wolf and Grandma's wardrobe, The

Cat starts reading to Dog, explaining that it's a story about a little girl who always wears a red cape with a hood. Dog loves stories about superheroes and wants to know her special power. When Cat advises that the little girl doesn't have any special powers and it's not that kind of a story, the fun begins.

ISBN 9781910277003

Publisher Words & pictures, 2014

Fox, Diane & Fox, Christyan

12407

Caterpillar, butterfly

A child and her grandfather watch as a family of tiny caterpillar eggs turn into beautiful butterflies. At each stage, the story reveals their awe at the magic of what is happening. The illustrations come with notes on the scientific details.

Young Paul joins his father, artist Paul Cezanne, on a painting expedition in the mountains of southern France. The artist enjoys painting portraits of his apple-cheeked son but most of his paintings are landscapes of the mountain country where they are camping. The local people think the paintings are poor and laugh at his efforts. But, a picture dealer from Paris, who happens to be in the region, believes Cezanne's paintings are wonderful. Soon, Cezanne becomes famous and wealthy.

ISBN 9781847806048

Series
Famous artists (Anholt) series
(10 books)

Publisher Frances Lincoln, 2015

Anholt, Laurence

568097

Chalk Boy

Barnaby is a pavement artist. This morning he started drawing me, Chalk Boy. I have a head that can think, eyes that can see, ears that can hear and legs that can run. Best of all, I have a heart that can feel. Thank you, Barnaby.

Joseph Kaye is beset by bizarre and threatening changes occurring around him, including the arrival of a new baby.

ISBN 9780744554281

Publisher Walker Books, 1997

Browne, Anthony

18528

Charlie Cook's favourite book

A fun, entertaining stroll through eleven books woven into one. Charlie reads his favourite book, in which a character reads a favourite book, in which another character reads another favourite book.

ISBN 9781405034692

Publisher MacMillan, 2005

Donaldson, Julia & Scheffler, Axel (ill)

3909

Chicken clicking

One night, Chick hops into the farmer's house and has a little browse on his computer. Soon, she's bought a funny teapot, a frilly blouse, scooters for the sheep and a car for the cows. She just can't stop clicking. But, when she arranges to meet up with a friend she makes online, Chick discovers that all is not as it seems.

ISBN 9781783440528

Publisher Andersen Press Ltd, 2015

Willis, Jeanne & Ross, Tony (ill)

28139

Chicken dance

Marge and Lola are two chickens on a mission. They must win the barnyard talent contest to win tickets to see the famous singer, Elvis Poultry. But, first, they have to summon up enough talent to score higher than those heckling ducks.

ISBN 9781402753664

Publisher Sterling Publishing Co, 2009

Sauer, Tammi & Santat, Dan (ill)

25924

Child's garden: a story of hope, A

In a ruined village, torn apart by war, a barbed wire fence cuts off a little boy from the hills he loved to walk in. One day, after rain, he sees a tiny, green shoot breaking through the rubble.

ISBN 9781406312072

Publisher Walker Books, 2009

Foreman, Michael

6218

Christmas rose, The

The fields near Bethlehem are filled with joy when angels appear telling of the birth of a very special baby. Men are travelling to give the baby gifts, but Madelon has nothing, what could she possibly give him when she meets him.

Spunky 12-year-old Clarice Bean Tuesday and her adventures at home and at school!
Any two titles read from this series can be included as official Challenge books; up to five more titles can be included as your personal choice books. To see the individual book titles and their PRC ID numbers, go to the Series lists on the Booklists page, on the website. Or, you can search for a series name or the individual titles by using the Search function on the top left hand corner of the screen.

Series
Clarice Bean picture books series
(4 books)

Child, Lauren

5427

Clarice Bean, guess who's babysitting?

Who can Mom and Dad get to babysit the feisty Clarice, her pesky brother Minal Cricket, and the school's guinea pig, Albert, who's visiting for spring break? (Not to mention teenage brother Kurt, who abhors daylight; big sis Marcie, who chats on the phone all day; and Grandad, who tends to wander off.) Only Uncle Ted, firefighter and movie addict, can be persuaded. Will he survive the week?

ISBN 9780763613730

Series
Clarice Bean picture books series
(3 of 4)

Publisher Orchard Books, 2001

Child, Lauren

12471

Clarice Bean, that's me

Clarice Bean's mother retreats to the bathtub with candles and language tapes, her father scoots off to his big fancy office and Grandad spends all his time asleep with a cat on his head, leaving Clarice with two painful brothers and a boy-mad sister.

ISBN 9781841215839

Series
Clarice Bean picture books series
(1 of 4)

Publisher Orchard Books, 2000

Child, Lauren

33112

Click go the shears

The Australian song is probably the most wide spread and enduring of the old-time shearers' songs. The tune came from an American Civil War song, Ring the Bell, Watchman, and was written by Henry Lawson. The song was first published in written format in 1946 and versions don't seem to differ much. The version in this book is as sung by A L Lloyd in the 1950s.

Farmer Brown's hilarious cows go on strike after their demands are not met.

ISBN 9780743461511

Publisher Pocket Books, 2002

Cronin, Doreen & Lewin, Betsy (ill)

18076

Clinton Gregory's secret

Clinton Gregory has a secret. Actually, Clinton has at least seven secrets just from last week. Every night, when no-one else is looking, Clinton does extraordinary things. He befriends a dragon, teaches a stegosaurus a new trick and flies around the world on a plate of spaghetti. Look in the pictures for a clue to Clinton's next secret.

Tashi lives in a tiny village below the tea plantations where her mother earns a living. One day, her mother falls ill and Tashi must pick tea to earn the money for a doctor. But, she is too small to reach the tender shoots and the cruel Overseer sends her away empty-handed. Tashi needs a miracle.

ISBN 9781406300925

Publisher Walker Books, 2010

Peet, Mal & Graham, Elspeth & Wijngaard, Juan (ill)

93684

Cocky who cried dingo, The

Cocky is a cheeky trickster who loves nothing more than pulling pranks on the other birds. But, when Cocky's tricks get him into real trouble, he finally learns his lesson. An hilarious rhyming adaptation of The Boy Who Cried Wolf.

Far away in the land of snow and ice lives Cold Paws, a lonely polar bear. Cold Paws shivers and wonders why he always feels cold inside. But, when little Hannah from the village becomes his friend, the cold feeling inside begins to melt away.

ISBN 9781406301908

Publisher Walker Books, 2006

Floyd, Madeleine

14911

Collecting colour

Rose and her friend, Olive, love going bush in Arnhem Land to collect 'colour' and pandanus leaves for weaving baskets, bags and mats.

Bertha found an abandoned home in the middle of nowhere and fixed it up. She called her home, Come by chance, and that is what happened. All sorts of animals, sheep, kangaroos and a cat, came to her door during the cold winter. She took them all in and cared for them until summer.

There once was a very hungry king who needed a cook like anything...but the king is very fussy, and none of the cooks he tries can make a dish that tastes just right. Then the most unlikely of chefs comes along: the shuffling, shaking Wobbly Bob. He's scared of everything, from catching fish to digging for potatoes. But can he convince the hungry king to give him the job?

ISBN 9781509813773

Publisher MacMillan, 2018

Donaldson, Julia & Cobb, Roberts, David (ill)

9536

Corduroy

Corduroy is a teddy bear who searches for his missing button because he believes that, if he is perfect, he will be loved and bought.

Bonnie tries to tame Mister's hair but to no avail. Birds and beasts of every type jostle for space among the curls and tresses of this hairy book.

ISBN 9780747595991

Publisher Bloomsbury, 2010

Gaiman, Neil & McKean, Dave (ill)

64671

Crow and the waterhole

Crow is so lacking in self-esteem that she doesn't realise what a special crow she is. She wishes she could be more like the 'other' crows she sees. She flies off to seek her destiny and to discover that she is all these things and more.

Meet Curiosity, a Mars rover that has rolled across the deserts of the red planet searching for clues to one of science's greatest mysteries: has there ever been life on Mars? Discover the story behind the most ambitious Mars mission yet with Curiosity herself as your guide. Through stunning art and fascinating diagrams, the rover takes us on a journey from the laboratory to Mars, showing just how far human curiosity has led us, and how much further it might take us still...

When Isabelle arrives at Miss Sylvie's dance studio to become a ballerina, she is told to be prepared to work hard. As the other young dancers switch to hip hop or drop out, Isabelle continues to practice, aiming to become a prima ballerina.

A is for Always, that's where we embark. Two children, treasure map in hand, and their pet gazelle sneak past their father, out of their house, and into a world beneath the city, where monsters and pirates roam. A captivating, chilling riot of an alphabet book with eye-popping illustrations.

ISBN 9780747597155

Publisher Bloomsbury, 2008

Gaiman, Neil & Grimly, Gris (ill)

47236

Danny Blue's really excellent dream

Danny Blue lives in a world where everything is blue. And while there are many different shades and hues, everything is essentially the same. Until the night Danny sees something in a dream that is unlike anything else...

Lazlo is afraid of the dark, when tucked up in his bedroom at night. He wants to find out what this thing called 'the dark' is.

ISBN 9781408330029

Publisher Orchard Books, 2013

Snicket, Lemony & Klassen, Jon (ill)

4199

Darkest dark, The

Chris love rockets and planets and pretending he's an astronaut in Space. Only one problem- at night, Chris is afraid of the dark. But when he watches the ground breaking Apollo 11 Moon Landing on TV it inspires him to follow his dreams and explore the darkest dark. Inspired by the childhood of real-life astronaut, Commander Chris Hadfield.

ISBN 9781509824090

Publisher MacMillan, 2016

Hadfield, Chris & Fan Brothers (ill)

35126

Day I remember, A

This is a day that Chintu will always remember. He's going to be Markundi, the boy who keeps the bridegroom, his uncle, company through the wedding preparations. Come and join in the celebrations, with dancing, fireworks and music.

Imagine if war came to your town and destroyed everything you had known. Imagine you made a long journey to safety but were not welcomed and turned away. Imagine then how the gift of something small from one child could change your life.

ISBN 9781406376326

Publisher Walker Books, 2018

Davies, Nicola & Cobb, Rebecca (ill)

12361

Day with Dad, A

Tim waits with excitement for a train to bring his father, who lives in another town, to spend the entire day with him. They do all of their favourite things, until it is time for Dad to catch the train home.

ISBN 9781406313840

Publisher Walker Books, 2008

Holmberg, Bo R

15437

Days of the blackbird

Gemma and her father, Duca Gennaro, live in a house with a bird-filled courtyard. All the birds sing but the duke's favourite is La Colomba. When the duke falls ill, La Colomba refuses to fly south, even though snow and fierce winds swirl.

ISBN 9780399229299

Publisher Penguin USA, 1997

dePaola, Tomie

25726

Dinner detectives: A fearsome beast and a dumpling feast

It's Chinese New Year, a time for feasting. But children beware, a hungry beast is looking for you! Join Dinner Detectives Clementine and Aksel in their first adventure, travelling back in time and around the world to uncover magical stories behind the food we eat every day.

Sophia, the new girl next door, likes football. Shes also a super sleuth of pasta! Join our intrepid trio as they travel from Rome to a fabled renaissance meeting with the feared Mongol emperor, Kublai Khan, and uncover the ancient origins of pasta. Celebrate with Sophia's Dad's delicious Tagliatelle al Ragu - yum! Find his easy-to-follow recipe inside.

ISBN 9780648008712

Publisher Publish Creative Books, 2018

Stening, Yves

1442

Dinosaur encore

A simple, flip book that has lots of interesting dinosaur facts for you to test yourself. Perhaps you know which dinosaur was smaller than a Dalmatian dog or most like the modern day ostrich but, if you don't, you can find out by reading this book. Panoramic pictures of collage artwork add to the joy of learning more about the shape and size of dinosaurs.

Min is microbe. She is small. Very small. In fact so small that you'd need to look through a microscope to see her. Or you can simply open this book and take Min on an adventure to amazing places she's never seen before- like the icy glaciers of your tooth or the twisted, tangled jungle that is your shirt. The perfect book for anyone who wants to take a closer look at the world.

Dougal's job is boring but he loves deep-sea diving. When Dougal goes to spend a week underwater, his diary tells of the many wonderful creatures he sees and his adventures. Dougal needs a change from his boring old job.

The tranquil seagrass meadow seems a safe place for gentle Dugong and his aquatic undersea friends to play until one day a trawler with its scoop net appears.

ISBN 9780958098205

Publisher Trapdoor Press, 2002

Mairou, Naomi

1542

Dunbi the owl

Based on the story told by Daisy Utemorrah of the Worora people to children living in Derby, Western Australia. One of a series of Aboriginal stories about animals and birds. Dunbi the owl is discovered in a tree by some children who soon learn the consequences of mistreating him.

Nestled in the wings of a mystical, white elephant, two children embark on a great journey of discovery. They fly across the universe, seeing its beauty then conflict, to discover there is a pathway to the humanity in all of us. The parable of the blind men and the elephant is told in Buddhism, Sufism, Hinduism, Jainism and studied in philosophy universally.

It's Christmas day in Shaggy Gully. The kangaroos are bouncy, the echidnas are prickly and the bats and possums are just hanging about. Only the bunyip is gloomy and Emily Emu is determined to make him smile for Christmas.

The Emperor penguin is the only large animal to remain on the Antarctic mainland throughout its bitterly, inhospitable winter. Once the female has laid her egg, she heads back to the sea, leaving the male to incubate it. He then spends two months standing on the freezing cold ice with the egg on his feet.

In the open forest, Emu gathers granite-green eggs under soft feathers. Emu will care for the eggs and protect the stripy chicks once they hatch. There are many hazards in the forest for this unusual family.

Young Bertie Badger loves to visit his grandpa and friends at the retirement home for elderly magicians. One day, he arrives to find all the magic props have vanished. Bertie will have to solve the mystery before the magic show can start. Maybe you can help him.

Enoch the emu thinks it will be very easy being a house husband. He is not so sure once his partner, Wilhemina, leaves him to look after the eggs. By the time the story finishes only the joy of fatherhood can make up for his ordeal.

ISBN 9780949130044

Publisher Childerset Publishers, 2006

Winch, Gordon

9566

Ernie dances to the didgeridoo

Ernie is going to live in the Australian Outback for a year. He is going to write a postcard during each season. Lots of lovely pictures and fun.

Have you ever wondered what happens in the earth underneath us? James has, and he wants to learn more about soil. In Exploring Soils: A Hidden World Underground, James discovers that soil is not just dirt for digging in. He explores how plants and animals live in soil, how soils are formed, how they differ, and the many ways that soil is essential in our lives.

In a suburban backyard that borders the bush, the night is dark and a storm is coming. Peter leaves the comfort of his house to check his pets and is just in time to save a young owl from the clutches of a feral cat.

Gray Wolf loses his mate and finds a new one during a winter of survival.

ISBN 9780811841412

Publisher Chronicle Books, 2004

London, Jonathan & Van Zyle, Jon

41647

Fabish, the horse that saved a bushfire

Fabish was a handsome, grey racehorse who always tried his hardest. When he retired, Fabish took care of the flighty yearlings, showing them what was expected of a racehorse. One hot summer day, a wild wind blew up and Fabish smelled smoke. Fire was coming, fast. When the trainer opened the gate, Fabish and the yearlings galloped away. The fire raged through the night as the trainer battled to save the racehorses. The next morning, there were no signs of Fabish or the young horses. Based on a true story during the Black Saturday fires.

A look at life in Australia through the eyes of a primary school boy during World War II. The excitement of seeing the American soldiers and tanks, the concept of black-outs, bomb shelters and ration coupons are explained.

A lively retelling of an Irish folk tale in the Cinderella tradition. The book is peppered with curious names and whimsical illustrations featuring the costumes of fifteenth century Ireland.

ISBN 9780711214637

Publisher Frances Lincoln, 2000

Daly, Jude

15554

Fairytale news

Modern retelling of the fairytales. Read all about it in The fairytale news that Jack delivers. Find out how Jack's paper run gets a very interesting customer.

ISBN 9780763621667

Publisher Candlewick Press, 2004

Hawkins, Colin & Jacqui

Famous artists (Anholt) series

Any two titles read from this series can be included as official Challenge books; up to five more titles can be included as your personal choice books. To see the individual book titles and their PRC ID numbers, go to the Series lists on the Booklists page, on the website. Or, you can search for a series name or the individual titles by using the Search function on the top left hand corner of the screen.

Series
Famous artists (Anholt) series
(10 books)

Various

41715

Fancy Nancy

Meet Nancy who believes that more is always better when it comes to being fancy. From the top of her tiara down to her sparkly studded shoes, Nancy is determined to teach her parents and little sister, Jo Jo, a thing or two about being fancy.

ISBN 9780060542092

Series
Fancy Nancy series
(16 books)

Publisher HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, UK, 2005

O'Connor, Jane & Preiss Glasser, Robin (ill)

11686

Fancy Nancy and the butterfly birthday

Nancy thinks butterflies are simply exquisite. That's why she can't wait to go to her friend Bree's butterfly birthday party. It's going to be the fanciest party ever. But, when Nancy finds out she can't go because of her grandparent's fiftieth anniversary party on the same day, she is furious. Nancy feels she will never get over her disappointment.

ISBN 9780007288779

Series
Fancy Nancy series
(16 books)

Publisher HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, UK, 2010

O'Connor, Jane & Preiss Glasser, Robin (ill)

2686

Fancy Nancy and the fabulous fashion boutique

Welcome to Fancy Nancy's Fabulous Fashion Boutique. Here, you can find the fanciest, almost-new outfits, accessories, jewellery, and lots more. The fashion boutique is a huge success but it's also Nancy's little sister's birthday. And, when it starts to rain, the birthday party might be ruined. Nancy knows she has to come up with an idea, a brilliant one, and fast.

ISBN 9780061235924

Series
Fancy Nancy series
(16 books)

Publisher HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, UK, 2010

O'Connor, Jane & Preiss Glasser, Robin (ill)

25190

Fancy Nancy and the mermaid ballet

Fancy Nancy is ready for the spotlight. Fancy Nancy and her best friend, Bree, could not be more excited about their upcoming dance show. After all, it's all about mermaids and Fancy Nancy knows how to be a fancy, glamorous mermaid. But, when another ballerina wins the coveted role of the mermaid, Nancy is stuck playing a dreary, dull tree. When disaster strikes right before the big ballet, someone steps in to steal the spotlight.

ISBN 9780061703812

Series
Fancy Nancy series
(16 books)

Publisher HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, UK, 2012

O'Connor, Jane & Preiss Glasser, Robin (ill)

28876

Fancy Nancy and the posh puppy

When her family decides to get a dog, Fancy Nancy is certain she can be fancier than ever. After all, a papillon, a small, delicate, fluffy dog, is the ultimate accessory. But, Fancy Nancy's family wants a large, plain dog. How unglamorous.

ISBN 9780060542139

Series
Fancy Nancy series
(16 books)

Publisher HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, UK, 2007

O'Connor, Jane & Preiss Glasser, Robin (ill)

2680

Fancy Nancy and the wedding of the century

Not only does Nancy help out the bride, she also gets to attend a fabulous party reception. Nancy will discover how truly special even the simplest wedding can be.

ISBN 9780062083197

Series
Fancy Nancy series
(16 books)

Publisher HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, UK, 2014

O'Connor, Jane & Preiss Glasser, Robin (ill)

21911

Fancy Nancy aspiring artist

It's holiday time and Nancy is feeling glum because her best friend, Bree, is out of town. When her mum brings home a brand-new set of glitter markers, Nancy puts her trademark flair to creative use and devotes herself to becoming a serious artist (or artiste, as the French say). After all, everything about being an artist is fancy, fancy, fancy, especially when inspiration strikes.

ISBN 9780061915260

Series
Fancy Nancy series
(16 books)

Publisher HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, UK, 2011

O'Connor, Jane & Preiss Glasser, Robin (ill)

33426

Fancy Nancy explorer extraordinaire

In their exclusively glamorous Explorers' Club, Fancy Nancy and her best friend, Bree, set out to explore the fascinating world of wildflowers, trees, leaves, birds and, of course, butterflies. With recipes for pinecone bird feeders, extra-fancy lemonade, an official club bird and an exclusive map of the territory, Fancy Nancy is one Explorer Extraordinaire.

ISBN 9780061684869

Series
Fancy Nancy series
(16 books)

Publisher HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, UK, 2010

O'Connor, Jane & Preiss Glasser, Robin (ill)

5618

Fancy Nancy fanciest doll in the universe

Fancy Nancy's little sister, JoJo, can be naughty and a real pest at times. When JoJo draws a tattoo on Nancy's precious doll, Marabelle Lavinia Chandelier, Nancy is livid. Even worse, it's in permanent marker so will never come out. When her mother suggests a fancy doll party, Nancy is excited to accept. But, the doll drama isn't yet over.

ISBN 9780007466054

Series
Fancy Nancy series
(16 books)

Publisher HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, UK, 2013

O'Connor, Jane & Preiss Glasser, Robin (ill)

33559

Fancy Nancy poet extraordinaire

Fancy Nancy Clancy is so poetic, even her name rhymes. And, with limericks, couplets, free verse and more, poetry is plenty fancy. So, when her teacher gives Nancy and her classmates an assignment to come up with their very own poems, Nancy is determined to write one that is superb. But, first, Nancy needs an idea and she's having trouble.

ISBN 9780061896439

Series
Fancy Nancy series
(16 books)

Publisher HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, UK, 2010

O'Connor, Jane & Preiss Glasser, Robin (ill)

9153

Fancy Nancy Saturday night sleepover

When Nancy's parents go away overnight, she and her little sister, JoJo, get to sleep over at Mrs. DeVine's house. JoJo is a little nervous about sleeping at someone else's house. Luckily, Nancy is an expert on sleepovers and can help prepare her little sister. The big night arrives and JoJo and Nancy have a blast at Mrs. DeVine's. But, when it's time for bed, it turns out Nancy isn't as prepared as she thought. Good thing there is nothing better than a sister to make you feel better.

ISBN 9780007560905

Series
Fancy Nancy series
(16 books)

Publisher HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, UK, 2016

O'Connor, Jane & Preiss Glasser, Robin (ill)

Fancy Nancy series

Any two titles read from this series can be included as official Challenge books; up to five more titles can be included as your personal choice books. To see the individual book titles and their PRC ID numbers, go to the Series lists on the Booklists page, on the website. Or, you can search for a series name or the individual titles by using the Search function on the top left hand corner of the screen.

Series
Fancy Nancy series
(16 books)

O'Connor, Jane & Preiss Glasser, Robin (ill)

21370

Fancy Nancy stellar stargazer

Fancy Nancy thinks that everything in the sky is simply stellar, from the sun and the moon to the stars and their constellations (that's a fancy word for the shapes that stars make). So, nothing could make her happier than a special sleepover under the stars with her dad and her little sister, JoJo. Together, they wish on stars, moon bathe and even eat astronaut ice cream. But, Fancy Nancy faces a real challenge when rain clouds cover up the stars.

ISBN 9780061915239

Series
Fancy Nancy series
(16 books)

Publisher HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, UK, 2011

O'Connor, Jane & Preiss Glasser, Robin (ill)

28877

Fancy Nancy tea parties

You're invited to join in the fun with hostess extraordinaire, Fancy Nancy. With a little imagination, you too can create an exquisite tea party that is perfect for your friends and family.

ISBN 9780061801747

Series
Fancy Nancy series
(16 books)

Publisher HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, UK, 2009

O'Connor, Jane & Preiss Glasser, Robin (ill)

5270

Fancy Nancy's favorite fancy words

Fancy Nancy thinks that words are simply fascinating. She wonders why people say beautiful when there are fancy words like gorgeous and glamorous. Instead of hello, try bonjour, which is French and so much fancier. An umbrella will keep you dry but a parasol will make you feel like a Hollywood movie star.

It is raining cats and dogs, when all of a sudden, Nancy hears a strange sound coming from outside! Nancy and Bree decide to investigate, and what do they find? Lo and behold! It's oodles of adorable kittens! Oodles is fancy for a lot. After finding some of the kittens good homes, Nancy and Bree each get to keep one for themselves. That is until Nancys new kitten meets her posh pup, Frenchy. Will Nancys two pets ever get along? Will Nancy be able to love them both the same?

ISBN 9780007560936

Series
Fancy Nancy series
(16 books)

Publisher HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, UK, 2018

O'Connor, Jane & Preiss Glasser, Robin (ill)

10827

Fancy Nancy: Ooh la la it's beauty day

Fancy Nancy has created a super-deluxe beauty day for her mum's birthday. It's a pampering paradise, right in the backyard. With relaxing music, fragrant lotions, colourful nail polish and foamy mousse, Nancy gives her mum a total makeover. She even treats her to sumptuous refreshments and special entertainment. But, suddenly, the pampering goes too far.

ISBN 9780061915253

Series
Fancy Nancy series
(16 books)

Publisher HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, UK, 2010

O'Connor, Jane & Preiss Glasser, Robin (ill)

2684

Fancy Nancy: splendiferous Christmas

Christmas presents are so fancy. Presents with elegant wrapping paper, festive decorations, Christmas cookies with sprinkles. After all, there is no such thing as too much tinsel. Ooh la la. This year, Nancy is especially excited about decorating the Christmas tree. She's bought a brand-new sparkly tree topper with her own money and has been waiting for Christmas to come. But, her plans may not be quite as splendiferous as Nancy imagines.

ISBN 9780061235900

Series
Fancy Nancy series
(16 books)

Publisher HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, UK, 2011

O'Connor, Jane & Preiss Glasser, Robin (ill)

7042

FArTHER

A father has a dream of flying. He makes beautiful wings of paper and feathers, but never quite manages to fly. When he isn't preoccupied with his dream of flight and air, he scoops his son up and they play along the beach. He always returns to his dream until the day he is called up to war, never to return. His son decides to make his dream come true.

ISBN 9781848771260

Publisher Templar Publishing, 2010

Baker-Smith, Grahame

26648

Father Koala's fairy tales

Join Father Koala as he reads some Aussie fairytales to the young koalas in Gumleaf Lodge. Jack climbs the choko vine, the princess meets the cane toad, the Kangaroos Gruff outwits the bunyip under the bridge and Little Red Riding Hood is almost eaten by the dingo.

Join Father Koala and his little mates as they romp through a selection of Aussie nursery rhymes. Little Miss Golden works on her Holden, Black Swan swims in an old billabong, Jack and Jill check boundary fences, Swaggie puts the billy on and we all have tea.

When a baby is born, it's difficult to know whether it will grow up to be big or small or brave or scared of the dark and spiders. So, sometimes, babies get the wrong name. It's the same with dogs. When a new little puppy is named Fearless, it seems a good name for him. Except that Fearless isn't.

The only thing Fearless can remember his mother telling him is that life is much nicer if you love everyone. For Fearless, the act of loving things equates to devouring them, and loving everyone is much more complicated than he had imagined.

Toad, Rat, Bat, Hyena and Spider are anything but beautiful but the ugly outcasts learn that beauty comes in many guises.

ISBN 9781877467226

Publisher Gecko Press, 2009

Erlbruch, Wolf

44447

Feathers for Phoebe

Phoebe doesn't want to be ordinary. She wants to turn heads and be noticed. She wants to be fabulous. But, when Phoebe seeks the help of the outrageous and beautiful Zelda, her transformation leads to some unexpected results.

A beautifully worded book for the horse crazy, with exquisite and accurate illustrations. A story that includes information on how a horse trots, canters, gallops and bucks, their diet and how they are groomed.

The fierce little woman lived in a house at the end of a jetty. She knitted socks, played bagpipes, fished and swam. Sometimes, she was lonely. One stormy day, a wicked pirate came to her house on the jetty and tap-tapped on her window.

ISBN 9781877467417

Publisher Gecko Press, 2011

Cowley, Joy & Davis, Sarah (ill)

12897

Fiona the pig

Fiona's parents wonder why she can't be more like them, that is, more like a pig. Fiona loves ballet, being clean and having tea parties with her dollies. Fiona's parents are desperate to find a solution to this baffling behaviour.

In possum hat and gumboots, Rebecca collects bait for her first fishing lesson, until a short-sighted sea-eagle spies her. Suddenly, she is carried away. Brave, resourceful Rebecca must help the sea-eagle and still get home in time for breakfast.

ISBN 9781876615048

Publisher University of Western Australia Press, 2002

Cresp, Gael & Pignataro, Anna

869

Flabby Cat and Slobby Dog

Flabby Cat and Slobby Dog are very lazy and spend most of their time eating and sleeping. Each day when they wake up, they are more uncomfortable because the sofa keeps growing smaller. Or, so they believe.

ISBN 9781842708514

Publisher Andersen Press Ltd, 2009

Willis, Jeanne & Ross, Tony (ill)

10501

Flapper, VC

Flapper is an Australian carrier pigeon during World War II. Sent off to war in the Pacific, Flapper is deep in the jungle on Manus Island, on patrol, when he has to evade enemy fire and deliver the message that will save the soldiers to whom Flapper has been assigned.

A boy finds a box brownie at the beach. Inside are the photos of all the people who have found this camera in the past and the marine scenes they shot before leaving the camera behind. He can choose to do the same or keep the camera.

Lots of fascinating information and annotated illustrations about everyday life. Any two titles read from this series can be included as official Challenge books; up to five more titles can be included as your personal choice books. To see the individual book titles and their PRC ID numbers, go to the Series lists on the Booklists page on the website. Or, you can search for a series name or the individual titles by using the Search function on the top left hand corner of the screen.

Series
Fly on the wall series
(4 books)

Manning, Mick & Granstrom, Brita (ill)

17664

Fly, kite, fly

A search for a red-tailed bird leads a young boy to meet with a famous artist. He finds not only what he is looking for but also a friend, in the great Leonardo da Vinci.

The various birds of the forest floor, Lyrebird, Coucal, Pitta and Nightjar, have very different feather colours and sounds but they look out for danger and warn each other. When a hungry fox comes looking for food, only plain, dull Nightjar is watching.

The Smith children collect an old lady from the shops and bring her home. Nobody notifies the police that she is missing and Mr and Mrs Smith need to decide whether she will become their Granny. Smith also happens to be her last name.

When Marianna goes to Frida Kahlo's house to be painted by the famous Mexican artist, she is scared. The beautiful lady keeps exotic pets and she's heard that Frida keeps a skeleton in her bedroom. But, as Frida paints Marianna, their friendship grows. Frida talks about her life while Marianna discovers how love, determination and courage can give you wings to fly.

ISBN 9781847806666

Series
Famous artists (Anholt) series
(10 books)

Publisher Frances Lincoln, 2016

Anholt, Laurence

6847

Friends of Emily Culpepper, The

Emily is a witch of sorts. She loves talking to her friends so she miniaturises them into jars. That way she can talk to them whenever she wishes.

ISBN 9780949714459

Publisher Penguin Putnam, 1987

Coleridge, Ann

31016

Gecko

Welcome to the world of Gecko. He warms up on the sunbaked rocks in the evening before hunting for food. A cockroach makes a yummy snake. Watch out! A hawk is hunting! An exciting introduction to one of the most varied species of lizard on the planet.

Any two titles read from this series can be included as official Challenge books; up to five more titles can be included as your personal choice books. To see the individual book titles and their PRC ID numbers, go to the Series lists on the Booklists page on the website. Or, you can search for a series name or the individual titles by using the Search function on the top left hand corner of the screen.

Series
Geronimo and Thea Stilton series
(134 books)

Stilton, Geronimo

5875

Geronimo Stilton Spacemice 1: Alien escape

Geronimo Stiltonix's spaceship is in danger of exploding! The only solution is to replace the engine's batteries by tracking down a rare element. When a group of mysterious aliens claim they can help, Geronimo is relieved. But are the aliens as friendly as they seem?

ISBN 9780545646505

Series
Geronimo and Thea Stilton series
(1 of 134)

Publisher Scholastic US, 2014

Stilton, Geronimo

24291

Ghost of Miss Annabel Spoon, The

No matter what hour, she lurked looking sour, be it midnight or mid-afternoon. Her dresses were shabby, her mood always crabby. Her name was Miss Annabel Spoon. The ghost of Miss Annabel Spoon haunts the people of Twee their every waking hour and they've had enough. But, one day, the brave and practical young Herbert Kettle has a most extraordinary idea.

Sweet Pea and Boogaloo are out in the forest when Sweet Pea asks if giants look just like them, only bigger. Boogaloo knows that they're entirely different. Sweet Pea asks if giants are kind but Boogaloo has his negative opinions here too. It takes an ill-advised kick for Boogaloo to realise that giants are just like me and you, only bigger.

ISBN 9780340893319

Publisher Hodder Children's Books (Australia), 2008

Kelly, Mij & Maland, Nick (ill)

5743

Gift, The

All the kids in the town followed the Pied Piper into the mountain but one was left behind. This is the story of that child.

Gilbert is a great, big scaredy-cat. You can't blame him as he was taken from his mother before his eyes were even open and spent his childhood inside a paper bag. He is frightened of just about everything, except paper bags.

Gloria Steinem is known as a leader of the feminist movement and a trailblazer who fights for equality for all people. This unofficial biography for young readers tells her story, from being a young girl with big dreams to her inspiring travels in India to the launch of Ms. (a magazine), which gave women a voice. Gloria's message of believing in yourself and following your dreams will inspire a whole new generation.

In a time long past, in a land far away, a family has suffered an unspeakable loss. Their lives are full of grief and hard work. But, a lonely goblin, a hermit from the world, has been watching. And he knows what to do to help them heal with acts of unnoticed kindness. Little does he know that he is being watched.

A book that helps to explain spirituality to the very young. It provides a general look at where God is in all the things that make up a young child's life such as friendship, love, play, family and nature.

As a boy, the author, David Cox, lived on a sheep station in the dusty outback of Queensland. His lessons came in a brown envelope but, out of doors, his dad was his teacher. David learned the stockman's skills of breaking in and riding horses, mustering sheep and cattle, and how to survive the hardships of drought. When they were out riding, his father would tell interesting stories about old times and characters.

Sarah loves spending time with her Grandpa, but she knows there is a part of his life that makes him sad. When he was a young man he fought in the Vietnam War. Sarah wants to find out more and her Grandpa shares a story of bravery and friendship, and what impact war has on everyone.

As Lucy's fingers trace each crease on her Grandad's lined face, she wants to know why Grandad's skin doesn't fit anymore. He tells her what joyful event caused each wrinkle to appear.

ISBN 9780972922593

Publisher Flashlight Press, 2007

England, Kathryn & McFarland, Richard (ill)

6898

Grandma's week off

Grandma wakes up one Monday morning and decides to do something more exciting than make marmalade. An incredible week of adventure follows, culminating in a trip to the moon.

ISBN 9780733312120

Publisher ABC Books, 2003

McKinlay, Helen & Smith, Craig (ill)

6944

Grandpa

Through Blake's eyes, Grandpa is revealed as a real pain in the neck. He took over Blake's room, left ash and tobacco everywhere and told boring stories. Grandpa was also really good at mending stuff and he could create wonders out of horseshoe nails.

Grandpa Green wasn't always a gardener. He was a farmboy, a kid with chickenpox, a soldier and, most of all, an artist. Follow Grandpa Green's great-grandson into the garden he created, a fantastic world where memories are handed down in the fanciful shapes of topiary trees, and imagination recreates things forgotten.

ISBN 9781596436077

Publisher Roaring Book Press, 2011

Smith, Lane

Great Australian yarns series

Any two titles read from this series can be included as official Challenge books; up to five more titles can be included as your personal choice books. To see the individual book titles and their PRC ID numbers, go to the Series lists on the Booklists page on the website. Or, you can search for a series name or the individual titles by using the Search function on the top left hand corner of the screen.

Series
Great Australian yarns series
(7 books)

Various

6505

Great bear, The

Year after year, a dancing circus bear spends her days in a cage and her nights perfoming for a crowd. The bear longs for freedom.

Lever Lapin is a world famous runner, living a celebrity lifestyle. Nate Tortoise is a simple fellow, who just wants to eat in peace at his favourite restaurant. Fed up with Lever's bragging and the intrusion into his life, Nate is overheard muttering that he could beat Lever in a race. So, the challenge is on.

ISBN 9780802723574

Publisher Bloomsbury, 2011

O'Malley, Kevin

7224

Great white man-eating shark, The

Norvin, inspired by his own small, sharkish eyes and sharp, sharkish teeth, decides to impersonate a great white man-eating shark so he can have the sea to himself. His plan comes unstuck when a female shark takes a fancy to him.

ISBN 9780140554243

Publisher Penguin, 1996

Mahy, Margaret

9586

Greatest treasure of Charlemagne the King, The

Charlemagne can have whatever he desires, but nothing interests him. He values learning to read far more than the cavalcade of treasures presented for his interest.

See life in Ancient Greece with Agathon, a hoplite soldier, who boards a ship bound for home after battle. He is taken under the wing of the merchant, Lykon, who sees potential in the strong, young warrior. Eventually, Agathon marries Lykon's daughter and later competes in the Olympics.

ISBN 9781845076832

Series
Fly on the wall series
(4 books)

Publisher Frances Lincoln, 2007

Manning, Mick & Granstrom, Brita (ill)

72110

Growing frogs

When a mother brings her daughter to a pond to collect some frog spawn, the little girl isn't sure what to expect. Day after day she checks on the jelly-like bubbles until the black dots in their centres turn into slippery tadpoles, and then keep on changing.

With his mother, ten year old Hamid flees Eritrea to escape the war and the government threats to his family. In his own words, Hamid reveals the hardships and suffering experienced by refugees, trying to rebuild their lives. With little understanding of the language and culture in a new country, Hamid's life is very challenging. Even when things start to get easier, the horrors of the war are never far from his thoughts.

A faithful retelling of this famous, dark fairytale but with unique, modern illustrations.

ISBN 9781406318524

Publisher Walker Books, 2008

Browne, Anthony

5228

Happy birthday to you, you belong in a zoo

That meanie, Lewis, always teases Gilbert at school. When Gilbert receives an invitation to Lewis's birthday party, Gilbert goes, armed with a cheerful grin, a brightly wrapped package and a plan to get even for Lewis's rotten behaviour. But, this birthday has a much bigger surprise in store for Gilbert.

ISBN 9780060010294

Publisher HarperTrophy, 2007

De Groat, Diane

79896

Happy Birthday Winnie

Cousin Cuthbert's magical trumpet almost ruins the amazing garden party that Winnie is throwing for herself to celebrate her birthday . Winnie must find all her disappearing guests and pull some other magic out of the bag.

ISBN 9780192727695

Series
Winnie the witch series
(8 of 6)

Publisher Oxford University Press, 2007

Thomas, Valerie & Korky, Paul (ill)

796

Harry & Hopper

A small boy named Harry and his pet dog, Hopper, have done everything together, ever since Hopper was a jumpy little puppy. But, when the unthinkable happens, Harry must learn to say goodbye to his mate.

People in the town have always worn their pants at different heights. Some wear them low, some a little high and, in Harry Highpants' case, very high. It hasn't been a problem until Roy Bland decides to stand for council and wants everyone to wear their pants the same, 'normal' way. The town is divided and into the battle comes Harry Highpants.

A boy inherits a toy tiger who shares his experiences of a different world where there were trees. The boy comes to experience a new and vibrant world and learns about destruction of environments, aging, wisdom and new beginnings.

Explore 15 of Sydney's most iconic locations with the help of six cheeky seagulls on this look-and-find adventure. From Taronga Zoo to Bondi Beach, there are delightful quirks of the city to spot on each page as well as fun facts to discover.

Everybody loved Herbert, a small dog, but the person who loved him most was his owner, Tim. One day, Herbert set off on a boat trip with Tim's father but the short journey soon turned into the biggest adventure of Herbert's life. A true story of a remarkable dog's voyage at sea.

Hermelin is a special little mouse. He was born in a box of cheese and lives in an attic at 33 Offley Street. He can read books and type notes on his typewriter. Most importantly, Hermelin can solve mysteries and the people of Offley Street are in need of a detective.

ISBN 9780857550231

Publisher Jonathan Cape, 2014

Grey, Mini

10830

Hey cat

Mouse is sure that cat supports his daring and creative lifestyle. But all is not what it seems. A rollicking cat-and-mouse story with a twist or two in the tale.

Striking collages, set above and below the water level off the coast of Tasmania, tell the story of Ben, a rather thoughtless boy, who sets out to catch as many fish as he can. Unexpectedly, Ben learns the value of marine life communities.

Light, a white pigeon, flies away and is lost in the city of New York. He is rescued by a young boy but Light must return to his real owner, Mike, to be free to fly. The story is illustrated with Jeannie Baker's beautiful collages.

Horrible Harriet lives in the roof of the school. She is mean and nasty and the other children are scared of her. When Athol Egghead arrives in a hot-air balloon, he is her first friend. Horrible Harriet is one in a million, even that's one too many.

From the cities to the skyscrapers- reveal the secret workings of the city. Lift the flaps to see what is inside buildings and unfold pages to find out what's going on above your head and under your feet. It's the city like you have never seen before.

The (unauthorised) biography of you, and the story of all of us. Charting from the Big Bang to birth, Philip Bunting takes us on a journey back to the start of time (in about the time it takes to eat your breakfast!) A hilarious, and beautifully illustrated book, designed to raise more questions than it answers.

Flick a switch...the light comes on. Press a button...the TV comes on. Turn the tap....clean water comes out. Take a drink from the fridge...it's cool and fresh. Just how do all these clever things happen in your home? Go on a fascinating journey, behind the walls and under the floor of this home to find out about the energy that makes it all work.

ISBN 9781406363784

Publisher Walker Books, 2017

Butterworth, Chris & Gaggiotti, Lucia (ill)

3717

How machines work: zoo break

Follow the mad antics of Sloth and his sidekick, Sengi, as they try to find their way out of the zoo, with the help of some machines.

ISBN 9781465440129

Publisher Dorling Kindersley, 2015

Macaulay, David

5032

How many dinosaurs deep?

Jim is not quite sure that he's ready to move from the baby pool to the middle-sized pool. Can a group of splashing dinosaurs help him face his fear?

Told by George Lirrmiyarri of the Kija people to children living in Warmun, Western Australia. One of a series of Aboriginal stories about animals and birds. A battle of wits, between a hills kangaroo and a plains kangaroo over some bush honey, leads to an interesting outcome.

A pigeon comes from a famous family. They have been famous for generations. But, he is particularly famous and he wants to tell you why.

ISBN 9781776570300

Publisher Gecko Press, 2016

Shalev, Michal

3535

How to build a car

Eli's famous for dreaming big. Sometimes too big. But this time, the mouse has a plan-to build a real race car. If he can get his friends Phoebe and Hank to help, it might just work. And together, they can really go places. Through hard work and perseverance, the three friends learn all about car mechanics and teamwork as they work together to build a miniature racer.

Fearsome Aunt Fidget Wonkham-Strong is sick of Tom messing around so she organises Captain Najork and his sportsmen to play womble, muck and sneedball. Tom may not be able to defeat these formidable opponents.

At twilight, the mother tawny frogmouth owl goes hunting, looking for food for her chicks. Each tasty morsel she spies seems to disappear. A moth looks like the tree bark, a cricket like a curled leaf and you need to look very carefully to find them.

Hyram and B, two bears in a second-hand shop, have lived on The Shelf longer than any of the other toys. They sit quietly, hoping to be bought by the right person. When Catherine buys B, he wonders if he will ever see Hyram again.

Henry Finch strives for greatness, gets it all a bit wrong, then makes it right again in a very surprising way and truly becomes great. Henry Finch is a total inspiration.

ISBN 9781406357134

Publisher Walker Books, 2014

Deacon, Alexis & Schwarz, Viviane (ill)

8822

I is for Israel

Through the letters of the alphabet, from A for Ahalan (hello, welcome) to D for the Dead Sea to S is for Shuk (market), this is a celebration of Israel, in all its diversity. Find out about Israel's rich heritage, its families and modern-day life.

ISBN 9781847807083

Publisher Frances Lincoln, 2016

Bar-Hillel, Gili & Das, Prodeepta (photo)

1186

I love footy

When I touch a footy, I feel as big as a giant. When I run with a footy, it's like I'm as fast as a lion. I love footy.

I really want a pet, an octopus or even a boa constrictor. The trouble is, my family aren't keen on any of them. So I must try and find a pet that none of them will mind.

ISBN 9780711213395

Publisher Frances Lincoln, 2000

Child, Lauren

12473

I will not ever never eat a tomato

Lola is a very fussy eater. She thinks that carrots are for rabbits and peas are too small and too green. Lola's older brother, Charlie, has a clever idea to get Lola to eat her vegetables.

ISBN 9781841216027

Publisher Orchard Books, 2001

Child, Lauren

963

Ice bear

Find out how the polar bear, also called Nanuk, thrives in the Arctic. The beautiful words and illustrations also explain the lessons that the Inuit people have learned from watching this majestic creature.

Douglas Mawson is a true Australian hero, and one of the great Antarctic explorers. He was the first man to reach the South Magnetic Pole, and led Australia's first Antarctic expedition. This is a story of adventure and survival, as Mawson faces enormous challenges and triumphs.

Gus lives in a big park in the middle of an even bigger city, and he spends his days with Ida. Ida is right there. Always. Then one sad day, Gus learns that Ida is very sick, and she isn't going to get better. The friends help each other face the difficult news with whispers, sniffles, cuddles, and even laughs. Slowly Gus realises that even after Ida is gone, she will still be with him- through the sounds of their city, and the memories that live in their favourite spots.

ISBN 9781742761909

Publisher Koala Books, 2017

Levis, Caron & Santoso, Charles

14325

Ilsa's journey

Ilsa and Alyssa are inseparable. Ilsa is a small labradoodle who is destined to be a guide dog. Alyssa is a young girl who is responsible for the first stage of Ilsa's training. In the end, Ilsa becomes a successful guide dog to the blind Connor but she still retains her affection for her old friend, Alyssa.

Beautiful illustrations that allow imagination to take the reader into new realms.

ISBN 9780689852190

Thomson, Sarah L & Gonsalves, Rob (ill)

18342

Imagine a night

Stunningly imaginative paintings inspire imaginative readers.

ISBN 9780689852183

Publisher Simon & Schuster, 2003

Thomson, Sarah L & Gonsalves, Rob (ill)

86626

Important things, The

Christopher and his mother live by themselves. In a clean-up, Christopher's mother packs up his father's things and takes them to the second-hand store. Mysteriously, the things reappear in their home. A sensitive look at the different ways of coping with the loss of a parent/spouse.

In Flanders fields, a young homesick World War I soldier risks his life to cross no-man's land and rescue a robin caught in the barbed wire. He hears the soldiers on the other side singing Christmas carols.

Penny's and Henry's accounts of their holiday in the big city is crammed full of Roland Harvey's quirky artwork and some interesting facts. Lots to find and discuss as each double page spread reveals what looks like a three dimensional map.

Drawing is what Ramon does. It's what makes him happy. But, in one split second, all that is changed. A single, reckless remark by his older brother, Leon, turns Ramon's once carefree expressions into joyless struggles. Luckily for Ramon, his younger sister, Marisol, sees the world differently. She opens his eyes to something far more valuable than getting things just right.

ISBN 9780763623449

Publisher Candlewick Press, 2004

Reynolds, Peter H

18562

Island, The

No-one in the tribe on an island of hard-working folk can see the beauty around them, until a blind boy makes them see.

Did you know that some food needs the wind to grow? And some food grows in the dark? What food grows in water? And which nut isn't a nut at all, but a type of bean that grows underground? Find out the answers to these quirky questions and lots more about how all kinds of food grows in this awesome book!

Follow a child's hilarious, wildly inventive train of thought through all the things an apple might be if it is not, in fact, an apple. Distrusting the apple's convincing appearance, the child's imagination spirals upwards and outwards into a magical, fantasy world.

ISBN 9780500650486

Publisher Thames and Hudson (Australia) Pty Ltd, 2015

Yoshitake, Shinsuke

18146

It's a book

Monkey is reading a book but his friend wants to know what the book can do. It doesn't have a mouse or make loud noises like his computer. He wonders how you make the characters fight.

ISBN 9781921720147

Publisher Walker Books, 2010

Smith, Lane

4929

It's a jungle in here

Only at Jimmy's house will you find a hippo in the bath and a monkey in the lounge room.

It was a special day at the Prime Minister's Lodge. There was going to be a big party with people and yummy food from around Australia. Abby the dog and Jasper the cat were there. And, so was a scruffy, little dog, who promised to be on his best behaviour.

Jesse, the elephant, must move from her temporary home in Moore Park to her permanent residence, an Indian palace, at the new Taronga Park Zoo. It is not easy moving an elephant, particularly with beautiful Sydney harbour in the way and especially before the Sydney Harbour Bridge was built. Perhaps, Ernest, the little tugboat, and his friend, Lindsay the punt ferry, can help.

Based on a true story from Swaziland. After its mother is shot by poachers, a baby rhino must face the world on its own. The baby survives when it is adopted by an older female rhinoceros.

ISBN 9780689818950

Publisher Aladdin Publishing, 2004

Kessler, Cristina & McAllister Stammen, JoEllen (ill)

21203

Julian is a mermaid

While riding the subway home with his Nana one day, Julian notices three women spectacularly dressed up. Their hair billows in brilliant hues, their dresses end in fishtails, and their joy fills the train carriage. When Julian gets home, daydreaming of the magic he's seen, all he can think about is dressing up just like the ladies and making his own fabulous mermaid costume. But what will Nana think about the mess he makes - and even more importantly - what will she think about how Julian sees himself?

Juliane is a twelve year old refugee. At the age of three, she was separated from her mother due to the conflicts n her home country of Zimbabwe. In her own words, Juliane describes the distress and isolation she felt while growing up in an African orphanage. An incredible chance meeting with her mother reunited the two of them. They applied for political asylum and were finally able to re-establish a life together in their new host country.

On an ordinary day for Amanda, but far from ordinary for the reader, the dinner table is on fire because the curry is too hot, the steps to her room are up a cliff, her pet cat is a lion and a tentacled, three-eyed girl is telling her news at school.

A collection of very short but profound stories about a little king in a big world. His endeavours meet with varying degrees of success. The little king has much to learn and nature has much to teach him. Some lessons are droll, funny and ironic but all are profound.

ISBN 9781927271803

Publisher Gecko Press, 2015

Janisch, Heinz & Erlbruch, Wolf (ill)

16682

King and the seed, The

King Karnak is worried. He's getting old and has no heir to the throne. So, he decides to hold a rather unusual competition to find the next king. Knights and nobles flock to the palace, expecting to fight, but the king gives each of them a tiny seed to grow. Jack, the farmer's son, has come to watch and he takes a seed too.

When Misty's elderly owner can no longer look after her, she is taken to a cat shelter to, hopefully, find a new, loving home. Taken as a Christmas present for two children and renamed Nigella, Misty's wish seems to have been granted but an unfortunate incident with a budgie means another, new home must be found.

Tiger, Gibbon, Water Buffalo and Gecko are amongst the ruins of ancient Angkor Wat in Cambodia, wondering which of them would have made the best king. A mysterious visitor urges them to discover their true selves in a race to a distant hilltop.

Paddling through the Arctic Ocean in their kayaks, Tigluk and his aka, his grandmother, spot a polar bear cub on a faraway ice floe. He is all alone and has lost his mother. The world is warming and the ice is melting. Tigluk must save the polar bear.

Edward's city is a place of concrete and cars, a world without colour. Every day, Edward takes himself to a part of the city that is different, to the last tree in the city. He is happy there until, one day, the tree is gone. Edward and his duck eventually figure out a unique way to make the city more beautiful than before.

A beautiful eucalyptus tree in an old-growth forest in south-eastern Australia has provided food and shelter for hundreds of years. As the forest begins to disappear, the old tree's existence is threatened.

Josh is totally engrossed in Vikings, even changing his name to Knut. However even Vikings would have their hands full with his twin siblings who seem to cause mayhem wherever they go. A trip to Viking World theme park provides opportunities for the twins to be their Viking berserker best, and for Josh/Knut to prove more than a match for any dangers ahead.

Josh is to stay with Nan and Pop, and he's worried because the last visit wasn't a complete success. However, Pop's book about Vikings inspires Josh and he becomes Knut, making weapons and armoury from cardboard for himself and his lively dog, Wolverine. By channelling his inner Viking, Josh is able to outwit some local bullies.

Left Shoe Sandburrow is a young seadog living in a seashore village. Seadogs are always born in pairs and, sadly, Left Shoe's sister died at birth. Left Shoe feels the loss deeply as the only unpaired seadog in the village. When a giant squid stops the seadogs sailing or beachcombing, which are their means of survival, Left Shoe, an unlikely hero, confronts the squid.

In 1853, Joseph Johns was transported from Wales to the British colony in Western Australia. Prison for Joe was never an option and he escaped often, leading the troopers on wild chases through the Moondyne Hills of Western Australia. He became known as Moondyne Joe and soon had a well-deserved reputation as an incredible escape artist, with his love for freedom and his daring exploits.

I hope you are wearing your battle pants! You've played the game. Now read the legend of the three great warriors who started it all! Rock Paper Scissors!

ISBN 9780008252397

Publisher HarperCollins Children's Books, 2017

Daywalt, Drew & Rex, Adam (ill)

6988

Legend of the Golden Snail, The

Inspired by the tale of a magical Golden Snail banished to the ends of the earth by a Grand Enchanter, Wilbur sets out on a daring voyage to find the legendary snail and claim it as his own. Along the way, he encounters strange creatures and overcomes many challenges. What he finds is not quite what he imagined.

Zoro is a little boy in seventeenth century Italy, long before airplanes flew in the sky. But, Zoro is also an apprentice to the artist and inventor, Leonardo da Vinci, who is experimenting with a revolutionary flying machine.

Ever look up at the sky and wonder how many planets there are? Or want to know how many Earths could fit within the Sun? Take a ride 3.6 billion miles away to answer these questions and more while exploring the solar system with Nate and his team of adventurous scientists! Walk on the moon, fly with satellite, gaze at the comets, and discover why Pluto isn't a planet anymore!

Ever wonder where water comes from and where it goes? Or why sometimes it rains and sometimes it snows? Then join Nate Ball and his crack team of curious scientists as they shrink down smaller than a raindrop to see firsthand what the water cycle is all about. It's the learning adventure of a lifetime!

Santa is getting ready for his annual, big trip and animals from all over the world are writing to let him know what they hope to receive. Open the envelopes and read the letters from the furry, feathery and scaly writers.

At the muster in the park, Sam Tully eyed the brumbies. As they galloped by, he saw one that stood apart. A stallion, black as midnight, with a jagged blaze on his brow. Lightning Jack is a gallant horse, a midnight horse, a horse in every dream.

It rains and rains and the Limpopo River bursts its banks. Josette is forced to shelter with her children in a huge tree near their village. They cling for their lives and, on the fourth day, a miracle happens. Based on a real incident in Mozambique.

A stunning, wordless version of one of Aesop's best-loved fables about a mouse who inadvertently disturbs a lion, who lets the mouse go, and is later himself freed by the mouse from a poacher's trap. Its wealth of visual detail provides huge scope for the pages to be turned and the story retold over and over again.

ISBN 9781406327595

Publisher Walker Books, 2010

Pinkney, Jerry (ill)

6836

Lion in Paris, A

A lion has come to Paris to find a job, love and a future, having become bored with his African grasslands home. As he roams the rainy, grey streets, he becomes a little despondent at being ignored, no longer the king of all he sees. As the sun comes out, his spirits lift as the city shows him its sparkling best.

ISBN 9781849761710

Publisher Tate Publishing, 2014

Alemagna, Beatrice

2455

Lisa absolutely loves art

Lisa's cat, Picasoo, gets lost within the paintings of an art gallery. Lisa traces his steps through the history of art, including Vincent van Gogh and Claude Monet.

It's Tilly's birthday and she is going to the theatre to see the ballet, Sleeping Beauty. It stars her Auntie Gina and Tilly is being taken backstage as a special treat. But, Auntie Gina has something even more exciting in store for Tilly.

ISBN 9781846166198

Publisher Orchard Books, 2007

Geras, Adele & McNicholas, Shelagh (ill)

2352

Little Blue

A young boy discovers what appears to be a little, blue girl in the woods. He plays with her all day and then takes her home to his grandmother who is surprisingly thrilled to have her returned. This beautiful picture book reveals the secret behind the little blue girl.

When Little Dolphin is orphaned soon after birth, she is raised by other dolphins in the pod. As she grows she is taught to use the language of clicks and whistles that all dolphins use. When Little Dolphin learns that another dolphin is in danger, she has to use all her skills to try to save it.

A cute little African elephant learns many tricks but cannot trumpet. He will need this to survive. His mother believes he will trumpet when he is ready.

ISBN 9780735812987

Publisher North South Books, 2000

Hanel, Wolfram

1251

Little eskimo, The

A young eskimo boy is asking the animals of the north about his future, will he become a great hunter. He asks the hare with big ears, the owl who can see from up high, and finishes with a great white moose in the middle of the great ice lake.

ISBN 9780987109958

Publisher Wilkins Farago Pty Ltd, 2013

Cali, Davide & Quarello, Maurizio A.C (ill)

17544

Little penguin: the life of Eudyptula Minor

Eudyptula Minor is a little penguin, born with one tooth to parents who loved him. He stayed in their nest for ten weeks before he left home. We get to see how similar little penguin's daily habits are to human behaviour.

Find out about Amelia Earhart, whose strong will and self-belief helped her overcome prejudice and technical problems to become the first female flyer to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.

ISBN 9781847808851

Series
Little people. big dreams series NEW SERIES 2019
(22 books)

Publisher Frances Lincoln, 2016

Sanchez Vergara, Isabel & Diamantes, Maria (ill)

13879

Little people, big dreams: Coco Chanel

Find out about Coco Chanel, from her early life in an orphanage, where she was a genius with needle and thread, to her time as a cabaret singer, hat maker, and, eventually, international fashion designer.

ISBN 9781847807847

Series
Little people. big dreams series NEW SERIES 2019
(22 books)

Publisher Frances Lincoln, 2016

Sanchez Vergara, Isabel & Albero, Ana (ill)

19530

Little people, big dreams: Frida Kahlo

Find out about Frida Kahlo, whose desire to study medicine was destroyed by a childhood accident. Frida began painting from her bed and produced over one hundred and forty works, culminating in a solo exhibition in America.

ISBN 9781847807700

Series
Little people. big dreams series NEW SERIES 2019
(22 books)

Publisher Frances Lincoln, 2016

Sanchez Vergara, Isabel & Fan, Eng Gee (ill)

1606

Little people, big dreams: Maya Angelou

Find out about Maya Angelou, from her early traumatic childhood to her time as a singer, actress, civil rights campaigner until she became one of America's most beloved writers.

ISBN 9781847808905

Series
Little people. big dreams series NEW SERIES 2019
(22 books)

Publisher Frances Lincoln, 2016

Kaiser, Lisbeth & Salaberria, Leire (ill)

Little people. big dreams series NEW SERIES 2019

Any two titles read from this series can be included as official Challenge books; up to five more titles can be included as your personal choice books. To see the individual book titles and their PRC ID numbers, go to the Series lists on the Booklists page, on the website. Or, you can search for a series name or the individual titles by using the Search function on the top left hand corner of the screen.

Series
Little people. big dreams series NEW SERIES 2019
(22 books)

Various

33186

Little red fish, The

Jeje and his pet fish have an adventure in the library, where his grandfather works as a librarian. Beautiful illustrations take us into the wonderful world of being lost in a book and the ways a visit to the library can enrich our lives.

The author and his family nearly didn't make it to Australia. They escaped from war-torn Vietnam in an overcrowded boat, surviving a dangerous journey, with murderous pirates and terrifying storms. Life in suburban Australia was also hard for a small boy with no English and funny lunches. But, there was a loving extended family, lots of friends and always something to laugh about.

When Harley's dad takes his young pigeon, Lofty, to donate for the war effort, Harley cries, sure that he will never see Lofty again. Lofty is trained by army officers to carry important messages and flies hundreds of miles carrying messages from the field back to headquarters.

Once upon a time, a Greedy Troll lived under a bridge and he was very hungry. When he hears trip-trap, trip-trap, he discovers the Three Bears on a quest to capture Goldilocks and bring her to justice. They persuade the Troll to wait for their return. More fairytale Goodies arrive, all chasing Baddies to bring them back for punishment.

Long-Long rides to town for the first time to help Grandpa sell his cabbages. Disaster strikes but resourceful Long-Long makes sure Grandpa gets plenty of customers. Detailed illustrations are painted on traditional yellow rice paper.

ISBN 9781845070786

Publisher Frances Lincoln, 2005

Gower, Catherine & Zhihong, He (ill)

12896

Loni and the moon

One night, Loni is awoken by the biggest, roundest, yellowest moon. He climbs up the moonbeam in his pyjamas, for the moon has something wonderful to tell him. Loni discovers different ways of seeing.

Boy doesn't see how tomorrow can be as good as yesterday and puts all his scientific knowledge to work to try to turn back time. Luckily, Grandad is on hand to show that every new day brings with it a chance of happiness.

ISBN 9781910646212

Publisher Old Barn Books, 2017

Jay, Alison

1676

Loongie the greedy crocodile

Loongie is a saltwater crocodile who lives among the mangroves in the remote Kimberley region of Western Australia. Loongie has no friends and no-one goes near the creek when he's around.

Louisa May Picket has only one talent, and that's for Show and Tell. But, at her new school, she can't take a trick in spite of her highly imaginative presentations. In the end, Louisa May presents just herself, with amazing results.

ISBN 9780207200281

Publisher HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, UK, 2008

Clement, Rod

18558

Louisa May Pickett: the most boring person in class

At her old school, Louisa May Pickett was voted 'The Most Interesting Person' three years in a row for her show and tell objects. But, at her new school, the kids have some very interesting items of their own to show.

Lucy is a small dog without a home. She had one once, but she remembers it only in her dreams. Eleanor is a little girl who looks forward to feeding the stray dog that appears faithfully beneath her window each day. Eleanor's father is a juggler with stage fright. The overlapping stories of three delightful characters, offering a slightly different perspective each time, come together in a truly original, book for dog (and underdog) lovers of all ages.

ISBN 9780763668082

Publisher Candlewick Press, 2016

Cecil, Randy

31235

Lucy's cat and the rainbow birds

Like many of us, Lucy has a problem keeping a domestic pet while protecting wildlife. She works hard to find a solution that works in her situation. I wonder if Lucy should do more to protect the beautiful rainbow birds.

Lulie, a young iceberg, eagerly awaits his turn to break off from the Greenland Ice Sheet and experience the world. One day, he gets his wish and heads off on a wonderful adventure, showcasing respect for the environment and caring for others.

Lyli lives in the distant planet of Motika, in a city surrounded by great crystal mountains. One day, her mother tells her about a great green stone-muncher who ate a path through the mountains. Lyli is curious and knows she should be afraid, but she sets out with her cat, Tyki, in search of the stone-muncher.

ISBN 9781921479991

Publisher IP (Interactive Publications Pty Ltd), 2011

Eimann, Celine

58758

Lyrebird

When Edith met a cheeky young lyrebird on her garden path, she could not guess that he would one day be known as 'A Miracle of the Dandenongs'. Soon, James the lyrebird was singing and dancing for Edith, mimicking the birdsongs and other sounds that echoed through the bush. Word of their friendship spread and people travelled from near and far to film and record James. But with people came change.

Maisie's Dad is a truck driver and Maisie and her invisible friend, Lucy, wait patiently for Dad's return and his amazing stories. Maisie likes her dog and sleeping in. She helps her mother in their shop but doesn't like being an angel. When it seems that Dad and Christmas will never come, and Mum banishes Lucy, Maisie hides in her bedroom.

Six farmyard acquaintances set out to make a new friend but that turns out to be a bit of a failure. Along the way, however, they do discover what real friendship is and where to find it. A beautiful picture book translated from the original German.

ISBN 9781877467066

Publisher Gecko Press, 2008

Dahimene, Adelheid & Stollinger, Heide (ill)

6597

Mang the wild orangutan

Mang, a beautiful old orangutan, remembers what life was like living in the lush rainforests of Borneo before he was captured and then sent to a zoo.

When war devastates their country, a boy and his parents are forced to flee to another country. Food is scarce. When father goes to the bazaar to buy bread, he comes home with a map instead. The boy and his mother are furious because they are so hungry.

Marshall Armstrong is new to our school. He looks different to me. His ear looks like a shell, his laces are straight, not criss-crossed like mine, and his eyes are always looking at the blackboard. Marshall Armstrong definitely does not fit into our school.

When Monique, a young nurse, steps into the home of an elderly patient, she sees rooms filled with the most vivid colour she's ever seen. Her patient is the artist Henri Matisse and they become good friends. When Monique enters a convent as a nursing nun, she discovers that her religious order is very poor and doesn't have it's own chapel. Matisse helps by developing a sketch by Monique into a brilliant set of stained-glass chapel windows, and uses his influence to raise enough money to build the chapel.

ISBN 9781847800435

Series
Famous artists (Anholt) series
(10 books)

Publisher Frances Lincoln, 2015

Anholt, Laurence

4546

Max and the won't go to bed show

Roll up, roll up, for Max the magnificent and his famous show: putting off bedtime for as long as possible. Cheer as he makes a cookie disappear, gasp as he asks for ten bedtime stories.

In the cleft of a rock, on the crest of a hill, grows a tree that belongs to no-one and to everyone. When a little baby girl in a sling is found swinging in the branches, the villagers name her Tiranamba Adesimbo Mbobo. They love her as their own but Tiranamba never speaks a word. When the life-saving tree is threatened, Tiranamba finds her voice.

A son hero worships his brave father and loves spending a day at the beach with him. But, sometimes even the bravest of the brave need a helping hand. Fabulous illustrations with interesting use of perspective.

A thought-provoking take on the story of a young girl who has come into the house, eaten the porridge, broken the chair and fallen asleep in the bed. Two stories, the fantasy and a modern street context, give dimension to a traditional tale.

ISBN 9780385614894

Publisher Doubleday, 2010

Browne, Anthony

55549

Me, all alone, at the end of the world

A peaceful natural existence is transformed by the encroaching modern society, changing the landscape and the sole occupant.

ISBN 9781406304824

Publisher Walker Books, 2007

Anderson, M T & Hawkes, Kevin (ill)

8109

Meerkat mail

Sunny Meerkat comes from a large and close family. One day, he decides that it's time to leave home and see the world.

ISBN 9781405052153

Publisher MacMillan, 2006

Gravett, Emily

41098

Meet Don Bradman

Don Bradman was Australia's greatest cricketer. This is the story of how he first came to play for Australia, and how his record-breaking feats in the Ashes series became a source of pride and hope during the hard years of the Great Depression.

Dame Nellie Melba was Australia's first classical music star. The beauty of her singing was celebrated around the globe. She was appointed Dame Commander, OBE, for her enormous fundraising efforts during World War I. Today, she is commemorated on Australia's one hundred dollar banknote. This is the story of how she rose to fame, and how she brought opera to Australians in the city and the bush.

In the early twentieth century, Reverend John Flynn saw the potential for aeroplanes to bring urgent medical care to people in outback Australia. He campaigned for more than ten years to make his big idea a reality. That big idea became the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Today, the Service, a not-for-profit organisation, provides emergency and primary health care across Australia.

Tammy is safe at home, but her heart is with her father at the warfront. While her mother knits socks for the soldiers, Tammy slips a message inside each pair. But will her one special message find her father, and bring him safely home?

Mia's family is very poor, living in a house made from recycled bits and pieces. When her dog, Poco, disappears, Mia takes the family horse and heads off into the mountain meadows. There, the snow is clean and the sky is clear and Mia finds a kind of lily she's never seen before.

ISBN 9781844282784

Publisher Walker Books, 2006

Foreman, Michael

8508

Millie

Millie was always so good, or was she? Millie eats all her vegetables and puts away her toys, or does she? She's always kind to her baby brother, or is she? But no matter what Millie does, her parents still love her.

Milo's life is almost entirely unremarkable. He lives in a solid kennel in a reasonable part of town. Every other day, he has a job delivering parcels. Milo's life is turned upside down by an argument with his friend Snombo, followed by a strange wild storm that leaves him and his kennel in a precarious place. So, begins Milo's surprisingly remarkable journey back to his friends.

ISBN 9781760111632

Publisher Allen & Unwin Pty Ltd, 2016

Riddle, Tohby

10296

Ming's adventure on China's Great Wall

Ming and his father travel to the Great Wall to learn more about the creation of the longest structure ever build by humans. On their way, they take a wrong turn, leading to a great adventure as Ming and his father get to tour the wall and encounter all sorts of important figures, including the emperor who had the Great Wall built. When the emperor runs into a tricky situation at the beacon tower, it's up to Ming and some important information to save the day.

Minton can't wait to make a boat so that he and his friend, Turtle, can sail to an island on the horizon. There, they meet Bouncer, the acrobat, who has been stranded since she made the most gigantic, enormous jump and flew right out of the city and over the ocean.

Any two titles read from this series can be included as official Challenge books; up to five more titles can be included as your personal choice books. To see the individual book titles and their PRC ID numbers, go to the Series lists on the Booklists page, on the website. Or, you can search for a series name or the individual titles by using the Search function on the top left hand corner of the screen.

Series
Minton series
(8 books)

Fienberg, Anna & Gamble, Kim (ill)

957

Mister Whistler

Mr Whistler is a joyful man, always very finely dressed, and who is forever challenged by an urge to sing and dance. When he arrives at the train station he cannot help but dance along to the music in his head to the delight of his fellow commuters. But as the train approaches, just where did he put that train ticket.

ISBN 9781877467912

Publisher Gecko Press, 2012

Mahy, Margaret & Bishop, Gavin (ill)

94615

Molly's memory jar

Molly feels lost after the death of her dog, Lucy, so her dad creates a colourful Memory Jar with her, to always remind her of the good times.

A humorous look at palindromes, although with some American spelling. Bob is surrounded by palindromes, indeed he is one himself. Palindromes are everywhere and there seems to be no escape from them.

ISBN 9780811843287

Publisher Chronicle Books, 2006

Shulman, Mark

3542

Moon's messenger

Moon knew it was unusual to see a green turtle. Out of all the sea turtles in the world, they were the species that was most at risk. But when the turtle beckoned her to come, Moon knew it wanted to show her something.

The Chinese mid-autumn festival is celebrated with a parade through streets with colourful lanterns. Mei-Ling has trouble choosing her lantern because she wants it to be the most beautiful lantern in the parade.

Mama loves all her little monsters no matter how disgusting their personal habits or special talents are. Hair balls wrapped in seaweed are pretty disgusting.

ISBN 9780143501596

Publisher Penguin, 2004

Downey, Lynn & Davis, Jack E (ill)

15428

Mouse opera

All the mice are preparing for a grand opera show. It is a race to see if they can get everything done from learning their lines to making sure the toilets are clean before opening night.

ISBN 9781869434700

Publisher Scholastic Australia, 2000

Wolfe, Richard & Pamela

44090

Mr Chicken goes to Paris

Mr Chicken flies to Paris to see his friend, Yvette. He visits all the tourist attractions such as the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, and he loves the French food. When it comes time to fly home, Mr Chicken finds he has a big problem.

George is one hundred years old but he is learning to read with his pal, Harry.

ISBN 9780763633080

Publisher Candlewick Press, 2007

Hest, Amy & Muth, Jon J (ill)

9806

Mr Huff

Bill is having a bad day. Mr Huff is following him around and making everything seem difficult. Bill tries to get rid of him but Mr Huff just gets bigger and bigger. Then, they both stop and a surprising thing happens.

Mrs Millie loves to grow flowers but they never win any prizes, so she paints pictures of beautiful, exotic flowers instead. Suddenly her painting comes to life, and is trailing out the window leading to adventure.

The classroom will never be the same again for those who love the stories about Ms Wiz, a teacher with a difference. Her unusual ways of running her class are hilarious, chaotic, unlikely and very, very funny. Any two books from this series may be read as Challenge books; up to five more can be read as personal choice books. Go to the Series lists for individual book titles.

Series
Ms Wiz series
(18 books)

Blacker, Terence & Ross, Tony (ill)

50226

Mule School

Stomper can't see the point and really doesn't like Mule School with its lessons in conforming to mule behaviour. He certainly doesn't seem very good at the important lessons. Then one day, Stomper proves the value of thinking for yourself and the routine at Mule School changes.

ISBN 9781862337299

Publisher Gullane Children's Books Ltd, 2007

Rawlinson, Julia & Chapman, Lynne (ill)

130917

Mungo and the picture book pirates

Mungo reads his favourite book every night, an adventure about pirates. One night, when reading the book, Mungo discovers that the captain is nowhere to be found and he can dive in and take the captain's place.

ISBN 9780140569742

Publisher Puffin Australia, 2006

Knapman, Timothy & Stower, Adam (ill)

10644

Music tree, The

Liam's mother hangs a saucepan lid to a tree to stop him from being destructive. In time the tree is well decorated with noisy household objects. Liam is inspired by a storm to create even more melodic music.

When daddy snores, walls rumble and things tumble and poor mum has to try to find another comfortable place to sleep. The hamster doesn't like the noise and certainly doesn't want to share his bed with mum. There must be a cure.

Notes from a mother dinosaur to her husband, who is off searching for food for the family. This nurturing dino describes her new babies and their day by day existence, with its prehistoric difficulties.

A great book for dinosaur enthusiasts. The descriptions and drawings of twenty six dinosaurs provide interesting facts and details. Each letter of the alphabet, clearly written in lower and upper case, corresponds with a dinosaur name, which is shown phonetically to assist pronunciation.

This is the true story of two lives brought together by chance. Arthur Cooper, working in intelligence for the British Government in pre-war Hong Kong, rescues a small gibbon and names him Tertius. Together they escape to a safe place - but is it for always?

Charlie's gran is different - she doesn't go to the football, make cakes or work in the garden. The story of Charlie and his gran is one of love and complete acceptance told through soft, watercolour illustrations.

Dani is the happiest person she knows, especially when she makes a best friend when she starts school. They share friendship bracelets, sit together in class and have sleepovers. But how will Dani return to her happiness when Ella moves away.

ISBN 9781877467806

Publisher Gecko Press, 2012

Lagercrantz, Rose & Eriksson, Eva (ill)

18584

My home in Kakadu

Respected elder, Jane Christophesen, reveals the beauty of the changing seasons in Kakadu National Park to her granddaughter, Tarrah, as Tarrah and her family collect bush tucker, hunt and fish.

When a little wanderer goes out walking with her gran and her brother, she doesn't see many of the things that are too tall or too fast. But, the small child can see other things, such as the tiny insects, the lizard hiding under the brush, the insect that looks like a twig and the fuzzy zigzag pencil lines, scribbled on the bark of a tree.

A treasure map, a map of a face, a map of a neighbourhood, a family tree and even a map of a heart are included in these maps of life. Children will be inspired to draw some maps for themselves.

ISBN 9781844280766

Publisher Walker Books, 2006

Fanelli, Sara

10170

My name Is Lizzie Flynn: story of the Rajah quilt, A

Lizzie Flynn has nothing but her name when she boards the Rajah, a ship sailing from England to the penal colony of Australia. She has been sentenced to seven years for stealing a shawl. On board, the convict women are given a useful bag containing fabric, needle and thread.

Amelia Arbuckle and her family are moving away. Amelia is sad because they are moving away from Granny. Amelia visits her granny every day before moving and together they have amazing adventures and lots of laughs.

A young girl leaves her war-ravaged homeland and arrives in Australia. Everything looks and sounds strange, even the wind. She doesn't speak the language and feels intimidated and lonely. To cope, the girl wraps herself in a beloved blanket and takes comfort in the memories of her homeland. One day at the park, a local girl smiles and waves at her.

Mum and Dad go away and Uncle Ted comes to babysit. Soon, chaos reigns as the guinea pig escapes, Grandad disappears and Minal Cricket gets his head stuck in the railing.

ISBN 9781841216249

Series
Clarice Bean picture books series
(2 of 4)

Publisher Orchard Books, 2000

Child, Lauren

1195

Mysterious traveller

Although now aging, Issa, is the best African desert guide in the region. During a journey he discovers a camel protecting a baby girl during a sandstorm. Issa raises the child, sharing his love and understanding of the desert and together they continue to guide travellers, even as Issa goes blind. When they save a group of travellers during a sandstorm, the truth of her past is revealed.

ISBN 9781406337075

Publisher Walker Books, 2013

Peet, Mal & Graham, Elspeth & Lynch P.J. (ill)

8024

Naked mole rat gets dressed

Naked mole rats do not wear clothes. They hate hats, scorn socks and turn their noses up at trousers. That is, all naked mole rats except Wilbur.

ISBN 9781406321371

Publisher Walker Books, 2009

Willems, Mo

15355

Nardika learns to make a spear

With his father's help, Nandika, an Aboriginal boy, learns how to make a chittabutta, a fishing spear, so he can catch his own fish.

A mixture of story and factual information presented. Some titles have a CD. Any two titles read from this series can be included as official Challenge books; up to five more titles can be included as your personal choice books. To see the individual book titles and their PRC ID numbers, go to the Series lists on the Booklists page, on the website. Or, you can search for a series name or the individual titles by using the Search function on the top left hand corner of the screen.

Series
Nature storybooks series
(23 books)

Various

3830

Naughtiest reindeer at the zoo, The

At Christmas, Ruby's family is visiting Granny and Pop, whose house is full of breakable items. It's not the place for a naughty reindeer so Ruby is sent to the zoo. She has to bunk in with the stuck-up antelopes and the fussy zebras, which is no fun at all. So, Ruby comes up with a plan for some fabulous Christmas festivities. But, her plan creates chaos and mayhem.

If only Mrs Claus had listened. Letting Ruby lead the sleigh is a recipe for disaster. Ruby's wild ride lands her in a world of trouble, and very far from home. Poor Ruby is stranded, the presents are scattered and the local penguins are very grumpy.

Santa really ought to sleep with one eye open. Because this year Ruby's decided to get a head start on the Christmas present deliveries - all by herself! What could possibly go wrong? Quite a lot, as it turns out. And what will Santa do when he discovers his sleigh full of presents is missing? Who will save Christmas? Ruby the reindeer makes Christmas more entertaining than ever before!

Naughty Nigel creates mayhem with his bad behaviour until he has his just rewards in a bad dream and is taught a lesson.

ISBN 9781842707449

Publisher Andersen Press Ltd, 2009

Ross, Tony

6924

Navid's story

When Navid was four years old, his father's life was in danger so he fled their home in Iran to the United Kingdom. A couple of years later, when Navid and his mother followed him, it was strange to be reunited with father as so much had changed. In his own words, Navid describes why he had to leave, his long journey as a refugee and his struggle to adapt to life in another country.

A little boy sets out to deliver a letter, witnessing acts of war on the way. But, when he encounters a bully by the post-box, he decides that enough is enough.

ISBN 9781847801203

Publisher Frances Lincoln, 2011

McPhail, David

50800

No return: Captain Scott's race to the pole

In the age of discovery, Antarctica remained largely unexplored. Robert Falcon Scott was one pioneer who penetrated the ice and cruel weather. This is the amazing story of his second journey from England to Antarctica. On the return journey, Scott and his comrades perished from a combination of exhaustion, starvation and extreme cold.

Christopher's mother is so busy working for the pigeon post that she doesn't notice when he invites an amazing variety of people to share their enormous house. There's Mrs Fizzletum, Maestro Bambonium and his Grand Pandemonium, and Ringmaster Fergus and the Sawdust Circus. Soon the house begins to feel small, so small that Christopher's mouse, Sneaky, can't even find a spot.

Noah complains and had been on a particular roll that day, complaining about this, about that, about this, that, this, that, that, this and the other (much of which involved his baby sister). So, off popped his head.

Norman Not-so-enormous wonders if two people can find true friendship when they are so different. He can think of all the reasons why their new relationship might fail but, when he gives it a go, he finds that he and Norman Enormous have heaps in common. Squished and squashed in his normal-sized home, Norman Enormous has longed to share his love of interpretive dance and black-and-white movies.

The Numberlys lived in an orderly, dull world which was very, well, numberly. But, five friends weren't willing to accept that this was all there was. They knew there had to be more. So, they broke out hard hats and welders, hammers and glue guns, and started knocking some numbers together. At first, it was awful. But, the five kept at it and, soon, one letter after another emerged. When they got to the letter Z, their world changed.

ISBN 9781442473430

Publisher Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2014

Joyce, William & Ellis, Christina (ill)

6160

Nutmeg

Nutmeg lives a very dull life with her old Uncle Nicodemus and Cousin Nesbitt. They eat nothing but cardboard for breakfast, string for lunch and sawdust for supper. Then, when Nutmeg meets a genie who gives her a magic wooden spoon, her life changes.

ISBN 9781842705636

Publisher Andersen Press Ltd, 2008

Lucas, David

5688

Nyuntu Ninti: what you should know

In this beautiful, photographic book for young children, Bob Randall explains, in a simple but effective way, the Anangu people's relationship to all that is around them, and why we must learn to care for the Earth, its plants and its creatures.

Prior to becoming the United States President, Barack Obama wrote a tribute to thirteen ground-breaking Americans and the ideals that shaped their nation. From the artistry of Georgia O'Keeffe, to the courage of Jackie Robinson, to the patriotism of George Washington, President Obama sees the traits of these heroes within his own children, and within all of America's children.

ISBN 9780375835278

Publisher Knopf Publishing Group, 2010

Obama, Barack & Long, Loren (ill)

3191

Old magic

Grandfather cracks his old toy top to bring back his magic from the old country. His grandson, a Chinese Australian boy, learns to understand the place of his own culture in his new Australian lifestyle.

For many thousands of years, Kirrae Whurron men prided themselves on being able to hunt and provide game food for their families and communities. When the land was taken from them, their food source was replaced by European farming animals.

Ari lives alone on an island, his days spent collecting all that washes ashore and gazing at the ships that pass, on their way to the great land that is a speck on the horizon. When one ship does stop, Ari is told of all the magnificent things that lie in the distance, bringing Ari a sense of wonder but also isolation and loneliness. Then one day, Ari has a dazzling idea.

Roland Harvey and his new pelican friend are off on an adventure to walk, fish, canoe, raft, windsurf, sail, paddle-steam and, even, fly their way along the mighty Murray River, from its smallest beginnings in the high country to where it meets the sea. Together they discover the story of the river - its secrets, history, ecology, people and animals. And, you're invited, too.

For a long as Tashi could remember, he had been told stories about the dragon who sent the rains each year, until now. The creeks are drying up and the mountains are going up in flames. Someone in the village needs to visit the dragon and only Tashi would dare.

It was an ordinary morning when the ordinary boy woke up for his ordinary journey to school. But, then Mr Gee bounced into the classroom and everything changed. The dull, grey world had been transformed into one of colour and excitement.

ISBN 9781842704691

Publisher Andersen Press Ltd, 2006

McNaughton, Colin & Kitamura, Satoshi (ill)

15154

One child

One child saw a world full of problems and thought, I know what to do. One child did all that she could. Just imagine if all the children of the world did all that they could. This book encourages children to take action to conserve the environment.

In this cautionary tale, human carelessness leads to the disappearance of twelve species of fish in Australia's Great Barrier Reef. A wonderfully, original counting book that goes backwards and is illustrated with stunning silk paintings.

Luk and his grandmother live high in the mountains of Burma. They work hard, dragging timber from the forest, and look forward to the day when their pet elephant, Mali, will be old enough to help. One morning, when Mali is foraging for bananas, there is a loud explosion.

The natural world is celebrated in works of art, with serene, calming text that reflects the characteristics we share with animals and our responsibility towards them. The book opens our minds to the equality of all living things.

ISBN 9780980289671

Publisher Alto Books, 2007

Higgins, David

7404

Only a donkey

Unlike Simpson's donkey, this donkey is looked down on by everyone in the farmyard. When he goes out for a day, the animals grumpily insist on going because he won't survive on his own. By the time they return, they have learnt to respect donkeys.

ISBN 9780670041688

Publisher Penguin, 2007

Walters, Celeste & Mullins, Patricia (ill)

3217

Ordinary day, An

The journey to school is boring. On the way to the bus stop Jack uses his imagination and bit by bit the boring is replaced by a world of wonder with lots of possibilities.

A story of friendship between a little boy called Oscar and Hoo, a cloud. Hoo is missing his flock of clouds. Oscar finds a way to help Hoo to rejoin with them.

ISBN 9780007140084

Publisher HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, UK, 2005

Theo & Dudok de Wit, Michael (ill)

12743

Ossiri and the bala mengro

A traveller girl named Ossiri makes her own musical instrument from a willow branch and lots of recycled objects. Although she plays enthusiastically, it makes a terrible noise. Ignoring warnings not to wake the ogre in the hills, Ossiri climbs away from the camp to practise. Her playing awakens the ogre but his reaction is not what she expects.

ISBN 9781846439247

Publisher Child's Play International Ltd, 2016

O'Neill, Richard & Quarmby, Katharine & Tolson, Hannah (ill)

18383

Our big island

Take a journey around the Australian coast. Includes information on navigation and map-making featuring Australian landmarks, flora and fauna.

An adventure story about a family getting a new pet but there are hidden dangers. Based on an event that really happened during Carol and Laura's childhood in the Torres Strait Island community on Prince of Wales Island, near Thursday Island.

A tall story full of cheerful nonsense with gaps in the text interpreted in hilarious ways by the illustrations. Going to the shop with Granny turns out to be much more exciting than you could possibly imagine.

Any two titles read from this series can be included as official Challenge books; up to five more titles can be included as your personal choice books. To see the individual book titles and their PRC ID numbers, go to the Series lists on the Booklists page, on the website. Or, you can search for a series name or the individual titles by using the Search function on the top left hand corner of the screen.

Series
Paddington Bear series
(28 books)

Bond, Michael & Alley, R W (ill)

23406

Paddington goes for gold

Paddington is in high competitive spirits when he accompanies the Brown family to a local sports day. Nothing goes quite as planned. Will a gold medal ever be within Paddington's reach?

ISBN 9780007427734

Series
Paddington Bear series
(28 books)

Publisher HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, UK, 2012

Bond, Michael & Alley, R W (ill)

38215

Paddington races ahead

Somehow Paddington Bear always manages to find himself in unusual situations. So it is no surprise when he gets into a spot of bother with some shaving cream, causes a London bus to be evacuated, and is mistaken for a famous Peruvian hurdler by a film crew. Will the chance of becoming a star of the screen take Paddington away from the Brown family of number 32 Windsor Gardens?

ISBN 9780007458844

Series
Paddington Bear series
(28 books)

Publisher HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, UK, 2012

Bond, Michael & Alley, R W (ill)

29827

Paddy O'Melon the Irish kangaroo

Separated from his mother as a young joey, Paddy O'Melon is found and raised by an Irish family who live in the rain forest and often help orphaned or injured animals. But while Paddy loves his new human family, he's curious to find out what he really is. So, he sets out on a journey into the rain forest to find his real home.

Dottie Devine has only one friend, Paraphernalia the hen, who visits regularly. They share breakfast and trips into town. When Dottie doesn't collect the eggs for a dew days, Paraphanalia has a wonderful surprise for her and more friends come into their lives.

Celebrate the joy of reading and begin a lifelong love of literature with the endearing Parsley Rabbit and his pesky little brother, Basil. This book is full of fun, with flaps to flip and questions to share, as Parsley takes the reader on an hilarious and stimulating journey through the world of books.

It's a hot day, so what could be cooler than setting up a lemonade stand? When Peg needs some marbles to keep her special marble company, she and Cat decide to sell lemonade in exchange for ten marbles a cup. But the Teens have other ideas. Can they barter their way back into business - or will they end up totally freaking out?

ISBN 9781536200614

Publisher Candlewick Press, 2018

Oxley, Jennifer & Aronson, Billy

4841

Penguin problems

Little Penguin has problems: his beak is cold; there is snow everywhere; the water smells salty; he waddles; he looks the same as everybody else. No, it is not easy being a penguin.

ISBN 9781406375992

Publisher Walker Books, 2016

John, Jory & Smith, Lane (ill)

30611

Pepi sings a new song

Every night while his human, Peter, studies the stars, Pepi the parrot sings a special space song. Pepi loves singing but he's getting a little tired of space. So, one day, he decides to step out into the neighbourhood to find some new things to sing about.

ISBN 9781416991380

Publisher Simon & Schuster, 2010

Ljungkvist, Laura

28861

Perfect petunias

Loppy is very worried about not doing his homework well enough. He always focuses on what he hasn't done rather than what he has, and then becomes very frustrated. So, his friend Curly teaches him about how petunias grow - in lots of different, imperfect directions that we can't control.

ISBN 9781925335583

Publisher EK Books, 2018

Jenkins, Lynn & Lonergan, Kirrili (ill)

15443

Pete the sheep

Shaun doesn't have a sheep dog, he has a sheep sheep called Pete. The other shearers are not happy about it particularly when Pete and Shaun set up in business. Pete doesn't know how the other shearers are going to react.

Sylvette is a shy little girl whose neighbor happens to be the artist Pablo Picasso. Attracted by Sylvette's classical facial profile and her lovely ponytail hair style, Picasso convinces her to overcome her shyness and pose for a series of artworks. These drawings, paintings and sculptures soon became world famous and encouraged Sylvette to abandon her shyness. Eventually, she began a career as a fine artist.

ISBN 9780764138539

Series
Famous artists (Anholt) series
(10 books)

Publisher Barron's Educational Series, 2007

Anholt, Laurence

12225

Pig tale

When two discontented pigs find a treasure chest in the orchard, they abandon their rural paradise for what they think will be a more luxurious life.

ISBN 9780749702724

Publisher Egmont Childrens, 1990

Oxenbury, Helen

14384

Pigtails the pirate

Jess sets out to find her father and rescue him from Pigtales, the pirate.

ISBN 9781740518055

Publisher Red Fox, 2003

Elliot, David

38147

Pilgrim

Pilgrim is the name of a boat, built by the narrator's great-grandfather. The narrator, a small boy, tells the reader about his first journey to sea. He and his father rise early and make their preparations for the fishing trip.

ISBN 9781921042850

Publisher New Frontier Publishing, 2008

Oliver, Jo

7470

Platypus

Platypus leaves his burrow in the riverbank and dives into the cool, green pool. It's dusk and he is hungry. Platypus is always busy, always moving, looking for his next meal. Follow platypus, one of Australia's most puzzling and unique animals, as he plays, swims, dives and scurries around his riverbank home.

Biff and Buff have always loved being Mr Pockets' very own pocket dogs. When Mr Pockets takes them on a holiday by the sea, they love travelling in his pockets. But, when he takes his coat off to play on the beach, something dreadful happens and the coat disappears.

Biff and Buff, Mr Pockets' dogs, are so tiny they fit into his pockets and that is how they travel to the park and to the shops. One day a hole appears in the right pocket. It keeps getting bigger and bigger until there is sure to be a disaster.

It is wartime and the family is desperately poor. But, they are content because they still have their piano and music. There comes a time when they have to make unpleasant sacrifices but they never give up hope.

Precious Little wants to be a trapeze artist but no one in the circus encourages her, apart from Fat Chance and Tough Luck, who run the lucky dip. Precious Little practises her skills but it's only when she takes a risk in the lucky dip that she really takes off.

When Granny asks Pretty Salma to go to the market, she warns her not to talk to strangers. But, cunning Mr Dog tricks Salma and, before she knows it, he's wearing her stripy ntama, her pretty white beads and her yellow sandals. And he's on his way to Granny's house. A retelling of a favourite fairy tale.

The tale of a prince, a princess, perfect politeness, pages of love and a peculiarly hard pea. A fairytale of a down-to-earth princess recreated through a mix of artwork and photography.

ISBN 9780141500140

Publisher Puffin Australia, 2005

Child, Lauren & Borland, Polly (captured by)

9541

Prowlpuss

Prowlpuss is the story of an old, scarred and tough street cat told in rollicking rhyme with bold pictures. He spends his nights roaming the alleys of the town but eventually encounters an enchanting and unobtainable female feline.

ISBN 9780744547702

Publisher Walker Books, 1996

Wilson, Gina & Parkins, David (ill)

20364

Prudence wants a pet

Prudence really wants a pet. Branch, Twig and Formal Footware just aren't fit to be pets, neither is her brother.

One night, a young boy encounters a nasty looking creature which is determined to consume grandad's vegie patch. Our hero tricks the creature into eating a habanera chilli with hilariously effective results.

ISBN 9780734410238

Publisher Lothian Books, 2008

Atherton, Bruce & Redlich, Ben (ill)

9031

Purinina, a devil's tale

Purinina, the Tasmanian devil, experiences the joys and sadness of life. But it is hard to survive when you are left without a mum.

Rose wakes up one morning feeling royal, so she dons her necklaces, bracelets and crown. The Queen of France emerges to survey her domain, disapproving of Rose's mother's thorny gardening choices and asking Rose's father where the Royal Physician may be found to fix her cut finger. When Rose returns to look for the Queen of France, she's nowhere to be seen.

ISBN 9781406331691

Publisher Walker Books, 2011

Wadham, Tim & MacDonald Denton, Kady (ill)

44437

Queen Victoria's Christmas

There's a mystery in the palace. What can it be? There are lots of spicy smells... and a large green tree! Join Queen Victoria's dogs as they discover the magic of Christmas in this hilarious new royal adventure.

Queen Victoria owned many palaces and many jewels but what she didn't have were underpants. A message advising that the Queen wants underpants was delivered to a dressmaker. She and her family explored the options of what type of underpants the Queen wanted and what they would be useful for.

A contemporary Dreaming story about the spirit world. The friendliest Quinkins are tall, thin Timaras. They protect children in danger, especially when they are in danger from the mean Timaras, the bouncing Imjins.

Enter the wonderful world of a curious cast. The Rabbit who wants to grow up, the anxious Stag, the Soldier at war, the Cat and his recurring dream, the Book that wants to know everything, and the Shadow. Find out how they grow up, learn to live together and deal with their fears.

ISBN 9780994109804

Publisher Book Island, 2014

Rutten, Melanie & Ardizzone, Sarah (trans)

52056

Race for the Chinese Zodiac, The

The Jade Emperor has declared a great race. The first animals to cross the river will win a place in the Chinese Zodiac. But, there are only twelve places to be won and thirteen animals line up along the shore.

Rachel is thirteen and a refugee. With her family, she flees her home country to escape the persecution they suffer as Christians living in a predominantly Muslim country. In her own words, Rachel describes the hostility and rejection of their community, as well as the courage and resilience they show in the face of immigration authorities, detention centres, and deportation. She shares the problems and challenges of settling in their new country.

This is the story of Raymond. An ordinary dog who, for a while, led an extraordinary life.

ISBN 9781406362428

Publisher Walker Books, 2017

Le Bec, Yann & Le Bec, Gwendel (ill)

10060

Reach for the stars and other advice for life's journey

You've got your whole life ahead of you. The road may be bumpy but, at the end of the day, you'll see the light and you might just find yourself on top of the world.

ISBN 9780864619730

Publisher Koala Books, 2010

Bloch, Serge

3045

Red Ted and the lost things

One day, a little bear named Red Ted is accidentally left on the seat of a train by his owner and ends up in the place for lost things. He doesn't despair, however, he puts his mind to work. With the help of his new friends, a pessimistic crocodile and a cat with a fondness for cheese, Ted finds his way home to the little girl who loves and misses him.

A small swamp past the edge of town is home to two wild blue-billed ducks. One day huge machines come to the swamp and out pours the swamp's precious water. The ducks become refugees.

ISBN 9780734406330

Publisher Thomas C Lothian Pty Ltd, 2004

Miller, David

1250

Remembering Lionsville

We are taken back to the family home built by the author's grandfather generations ago and still lived in now by the family. The growing and preserving of food, communications with others, the way of life all beautifully and simply described with magnificent illustrations combining Aboriginal and western techniques.

Rescue thought he'd grow up to be a Seeing Eye dog. When he gets the news that he's better suited to being a service dog, he's worried that he's not up to the task. Then he meets Jessica, a girl whose life is turning out differently from the way she'd imagined it, too. Now Jessica needs Rescue by her side to help her accomplish everyday tasks. And it turns out that Rescue can help Jessica see after all: a way forward, together, one step at a time.

ISBN 9780763696047

Publisher Candlewick Press, 2018

Kensky, Jessica & Downes, Patrick & Magoon, Scott (ill)

3123

Right word, The: Roget and his thesaurus

For shy, young Peter Mark Roget, books were his best companions and it wasn't long before he began writing his own. But, he didn't write stories, he wrote lists. Peter took his love for words and turned it to organising ideas, and finding exactly the right word to express just what he thought. His lists grew and grew, eventually turning into one of the most important reference books of all time.

ISBN 9780802853851

Publisher Eerdmans Books, 2014

Bryant, Jen & Sweet, Melissa (ill)

71268

River story

Follow a river's journey, beginning as a small stream from melted snow in the mountains, as it flows quietly past meadows, under bridges, through cities until, finally, emptying into the sea.

A traditional style tale set in a snowy European forest landscape. The robber girl is contented in the forest with her animal companions, until a lost child comes into the forest and changes their lives forever.

As you explore life on a Roman frontier, patrol with a windswept centurion, eavesdrop in the smelly toilets and visit a tasty Roman banquet.

ISBN 9781845071240

Series
Fly on the wall series
(4 books)

Publisher Frances Lincoln, 2006

Manning, Mick & Granstrom, Brita (ill)

5471

Ruby in the ruins

Ruby and Mum cling to each other while they live through the terrifying London Blitz, waiting for Dad to come home from the war. Day after day they hope for his return - but when the moment to meet him at the station finally comes, Ruby hardly recognises the tall man who steps off the train. He's big and sunburned, and he doesn't seem to be as engaged as he once was. It's easier to play outside in the wreckage of the bombings than to stay at home with a dad she doesn't know anymore. But when Ruby hurts her knee in the ruins, there's only one person who can rescue her and make her feel all right.

ISBN 9781406375893

Publisher Walker Books, 2018

Hughes, Shirley

46393

Ruby Red Shoes

Ruby lives in a colourful caravan with her grandmother. She is gentle and caring and spends her days looking after plants, animals and people, as well as playing with mulberries, to make hands a pretty colour.

Ruby and her grandmother love to travel and now they are in London, the home of red buses and letter boxes, and where Ruby's red shoes fit right in. There is so much to discover in London and Ruby spends many happy days exploring the sights. Ruby delights in all that this wonderful city has to offer, especially as she can share it with her family.

Ruby Red Shoes and her grandmother are on holiday in Paris! Ruby is fizzing with excitement; her smart red shoes are aflutter as she explores cafes and markets dotted along cobblestone streets. Ruby practises her French, eats buttered baguettes, and beetles around on a scooter with a special new friend who shows her the sights. It is a time she will treasure forever.

Any two titles read from this series can be included as official Challenge books; up to five more titles can be included as your personal choice books. To see the individual book titles and their PRC ID numbers, go to the Series lists on the Booklists page, on the website. Or, you can search for a series name or the individual titles by using the Search function on the top left hand corner of the screen.

Series
Ruby Red Shoes series
(3 books)

Various

18344

Rude Ramsay and the roaring radishes

Rude Ramsey lives in a ramshackle house and longs for something better. Ramsay and Ralph, the red-nosed rat, decide to leave. Students will enjoy their rumpus with food, using the letter R, and want to make up some verses of their own.

ISBN 9780747572923

Publisher Bloomsbury, 2005

Atwood, Margaret & Petricic, Dusan (ill)

3736

Run Damon run

Many centuries ago, when the ancient gods ruled the world, a powerful king named Dionysius killed and plundered without any mercy. Damon, the shepherd, tried to free the country from terror.

As readers take up the cry of 'run, hare, run', they join his wild dash through fields and forests, farmyards, streets and lanes away from a pursuing hunter and hound. Exhausted, hare is finally caught, but he does not meet the end he expects.

There was once a country where the people were always happy. Being happy was a law set down by the King whose face held an unchanging grin. When a small boy was hauled before his majesty because he was in tears over the death of his dog, the boy noticed that the King was wearing a mask.

ISBN 9780224070454

Publisher Red Fox, 2007

Wormell, Chris

14556

Sail away: the ballad of Skip and Nell

A tale of two young dingoes who set out on a log to see the America's Cup yacht race in Fremantle WA, and take the long way round.

One Sunday by the sea, Sally pulls and pulls at a brightly coloured limpet shell. It makes a squelching noise and sticks firmly to her finger. Everyone has a go at removing the limpet but it just won't let go. When Sally's teacher says a limpet lives for twenty years and spends its lifetime on the same rock, Sally desperately wants to put things back just the way they were for the limpet.

ISBN 9781406308464

Publisher Walker Books, 2008

James, Simon

9570

Sally's painting room

Sally finds a wonderful, secret attic space in her busy house, away from the annoyance of brothers and sisters. Here she creates her own private studio to paint the pictures that dance and sing in her head.

Take a walk in the woods with Kate and her dad to find out why the Pacific rainforest is called the salmon forest and how the salmon and the forest need each other. You'll also meet fat slugs, squawking gulls and a bear that is hungry for fish.

Sixteen year old Grace Bussell was hailed a hero for her part in saving fifty passengers and crew from drowning, when the SS Georgette was wrecked off the coast of Western Australia in 1876. But, the rescue would never have been possible without the guidance and leadership of Sam Isaacs, an Aboriginal stockman.

This vividly illustrated book features two iconic Australian animals, the scaly-tailed possum, found only in a remote part of the Kimberley, and one of Australia's most unusual mammals, the echidna. A traditional Dreamtime story.

Scarlett can't sleep again. The moon is scratching the sky, and she's counting sheep called Daddy Neema, Mummy Neema and Baby Neema. Scarlett is also sad because her pet dogs, Holly and Sparky, have died. But then a surprise comes to the door and the world seems new again.

Grandma and Grandpa don't think they love each other anymore. Their likes and dislikes are too different. But, their granddaughter sees how miserable they are when they're apart and hatches a plan that just might bring them back together.

ISBN 9780698400450

Publisher Penguin, 2006

Bunge, Daniela

8703

Schumann the shoeman

Schumann the Shoeman was adored. The shoes he made were really beautiful and lasted a lifetime. No two pairs were ever the same. Outside his shop, on an elegant shoe-shaped sign, Schumann tied the laces into an elegant bow to let customers know when their shoes were ready. However, when a shoe factory opened in the town, Schumann's world was about to change forever.

Fluster, the corella, is frantic. Her egg has fallen from her nest. Stripey and Leggy want to help her but, before they can make a plan, the egg begins to hatch. Soon, the strangest creature appears, it is definitely not a bird of any kind. Join Stripey and his friends as they search for the mother of the funny little grub that has hatched.

Illustrated chapter books about the adventures of Seadogs, fictional animals who live in coastal areas in Australia. Any two titles read from this series can be included as official Challenge books; up to five more titles can be included as your personal choice books. To see the individual book titles and their PRC ID numbers, go to the Series lists on the Booklists page, on the website. Or, you can search for a series name or the individual titles by using the Search function on the top left hand corner of the screen.

Series
Seadog adventure series, A
(4 books)

O'Dowd, Annie

21538

Seahorse, the shyest fish in the sea

In the warm ocean, amid the coral and waving sea grass, you might see an eye like a small black bead peering out at you. Discover the secrets of the sea horse, one of the shyest fish in the sea. With a head like a horse, a tail like a monkey and a pouch like a kangaroo, the sea horse acts like a chameleon, changing colour to ward off danger or to show that he and his mate are a lifelong pair.

Butterflies are beautiful but they have some very off habits - welcome to their secret world. Did you know that butterflies taste with their feet, do a dark-red poo when they come out of their chrysalises and that some drink the tears of crocodiles?

ISBN 9781760633608

Publisher Allen & Unwin Pty Ltd, 2018

Meredith, Courtney Sina & Clarkson, Giselle (ill)

12532

See food

Cut outs replicate a microscopic view of sea life that becomes part of a food chain with each step in the chain increasing in size.

Any two titles read from this series can be included as official Challenge books; up to five more titles can be included as your personal choice books. To see the individual book titles and their PRC ID numbers, go to the Series lists on the Booklists page on the website. Or, you can search for a series name or the individual titles by using the Search function on the top left hand corner of the screen.

Series
Seeking refuge series
(5 books)

Various

35896

Shapes of Australia

From boulders to bee hives, from mountains to coral, Bronwyn Bancroft explores the shapes that form our land.

Share-a-Not wants it all and he wants it now. Everyone in town has just one pet rock but the Share-a-Not wants more. He goes on a stealing spree, taking rocks from everyone, even babies and old ladies. Finally, he steals from a young lad whose father decides enough is enough, and he works out a plan to show the Share-a-Not that he's got it all wrong.

ISBN 9780980518573

Publisher JoJo Publishing, 2009

Wallace, Adam & McKenzie, Heath (ill)

29300

Shark and Lobster's amazing undersea adventure

Shark and Lobster are frightened of tigers so they find a deep sea monster to protect them. But, the monster doesn't like being woken up and chases the duo all around the ocean. Shark and Lobster realise that maybe a tiger isn't so bad after all.

ISBN 9781406305203

Publisher Walker Books, 2006

Schwarz, Viviane

40625

Sheep in wolves' clothing

Georgina, Hubert, and Gogol go to the beach for one last, carefree day of summer sun and surf. Once there, these innocent lambs get fleeced by some cagey characters who smooth talk them out of their fur coats. Enter Elliott Baa, Private Detective, who, together with the three cold and exhausted friends and some rugby-playing cats, set off to confront the villains in this action-packed and off-beat tale.

ISBN 9781842709078

Publisher Andersen Press Ltd, 2009

Kitamura, Satoshi

10065

Sherlock Bones

Bones, the family dog, is very smart according to the son but the father doesn't agree, until he loses his car keys.

Every night, the little girl and her best friend, Brownie, wait for Papa to come home. Before their world changed, her Papa was a farmer but he now works long hours in a car factory. Her Mama was a teacher but she makes dresses all day long. Sundays are special, they're picnic days.

In the central desert of Australia lives a small nocturnal marsupial group call Marla that inhabits the spinifex and hummock grasslands. Their numbers have declined since the 1990s due to habitat destruction and predation. Warla, the shy Marla, tells how the Warlpiri people rescued her and how she now lives in a safe environment.

Sisi slips away from her mother and sisters to catch a tortoise in the waterhole. She surfaces from a deep dive and realises she is lost. A boy offers to help, then disappears. It is both mysterious and worrying for Sisi who is not sure she'll get back.

Leaving his home one day, a bespectacled, tuxedo-clad man discovers a small skunk sitting on his doorstep. When the man finds the skunk following him, the unlikely pair embark on an increasingly frantic chase through the city, from the streets to the opera house to the fairground. It's not clear what the skunk wants. When the man escapes the creature by moving house, maybe he is missing something.

ISBN 9781760067823

Publisher The Five Mile Press Pty Ltd, 2015

Barnett, Mac & McDonald, Patrick (ill)

22429

Sky dreamer, The

When Liam's sister dies, his world turns grey. He spends hours watching clouds crossing the wintry skies, hoping that Cassie is out there somewhere.

ISBN 9781921479977

Publisher IP (Interactive Publications Pty Ltd), 2011

Morgan, Anne & Eimann, Celine (ill)

20912

Slightly annoying elephant, The

Sam visits the zoo and fills in some papers to adopt an elephant. He never thought one would turn up on his doorstep.

Grandfather was too poor to give Joseph all the things he wanted to give him but he was a tailor so he made Joseph a wonderful blanket. A blanket to keep him warm and cosy and to chase away bad dreams.

ISBN 9780590745574

Publisher Scholastic US, 1998

Gilman, Phoebe

52640

Sometimes love is under your foot

Kevin, the dog, worships Brian but he has always ignored Kevin and never fully appreciated him. When Brian becomes ill, he realises the love that has been there all along and how much he needs it. Things are never quite the same between Kevin and Brian again.

Maggie holds tight to her mother as they await the long anticipated apology to the Stolen Generations by the Prime Minister. In the excitement of the crowd, Maggie loses touch of her mother's hand and is lost. She is reunited with her mother but the faces and memories of the Stolen Generations are all around them. Two stories entwine in this captivating retelling of the momentous day when then Prime Minister of Australia Kevin Rudd acknowledged the sorrows of the past and said 'sorry' to Indigenous children who were taken from their homes.

Kev is so special, his mum planted red roses and rolled out the red carpet when he was born. He is the only one of his eleventy million cousins with red hair and freckles. When his favourite cousin goes away, Kev is lonely and hasn't a friend who plays football. When Kev joins up with Nicky Bathgate to play Ned Kelly, things start to go wrong.

Lincoln has a double, someone who looks just like him. While Lincoln does the more important things, like building the biggest tower, his trusty stand-in does the tidying, putting away and sorting out.

When Jeffrey sees a falling star, he scampers out into the dark night in search of it. He's worried that the star may be a lost part of his imagination, tumbled to the ground and forever lost. When he finds the star, he discovers an empty shell, which he takes to stuff with poetry and pictures and secrets he hopes will rekindle the star. But as Jeffrey drifts off to sleep, something magical happens.

Stellaluna falls into a bird's nest and is brought up a bird until she finds her mama again.

ISBN 9780864611246

Publisher Koala Books, 1998

Cannon, Janell

4132

Stepping stones: A refugee family's journey

War is coming closer to Rama's village in Syria. Her family have stayed, not wanting to leave but now there's not enough food and the bombs are falling near their village. The family make the decision to leave but now they are faced with the dangers of travelling to a new country.

Sticky Burr is a special burr who lives in Burrwood Forest with all the other burrs. He has lots of adventures, wins through in the end and becomes something of a hero. Through the book, he enlists the aid of a friendly dragonfly and is pursued by a pack of wild dogs whom he outwits.

ISBN 9780763630546

Publisher Candlewick Press, 2007

Lechner, John

4695

Stone elephant, The

This picture book explores the relationship between us and the natural world through the powerful imagery of elephants.

Sometimes, statues are granted a chance to become warm, breathing creatures. The stone lion's only dream is to run, pounce and leap in the park across from where he sits. But, one snowy night, when a baby is abandoned at his paws, he is compelled to think differently.

When Simon unwraps a beautiful boomerang, he finds out about an Australian Prime Minister's national apology to the Stolen Generations. Through a new friendship and a magnificent collection of stories, Simon learns about the Stolen Generation, and gains a deep appreciation of the past and a positive vision for the future.

Chatto is a cat with a mouse problem. Strat is a rat with a house problem. But, with friends in places high and low, and a devious plan, Strat has the solution to both these problems. All he needs are a few bats, cockroaches, silverfish and a toad.

ISBN 9781406313451

Publisher Walker Books, 2008

Mark, Jan

11630

Stripes in the forest: the story of the last wild thylacine

I am the last of my kind. This I know. Once, we roamed the land. We owned the land. We called it home. But strange creatures came to take it from us. I am a Thylacine. I am the last Tasmanian tiger to roam free.

Suri lives with other children behind a wall. She is much taller than the others and they are frightened of her. But, one day, Suri has grown tall enough to see over the wall and she begins to describe to the children the beautiful things that she sees.

A simple, funny, rhyming book that looks at what we know and what we have to surmise about dinosaurs such as Tyrannosaurus Rex. Includes information about dinosaurs and the study of them. A book that could inspire you to become a palaeontologist.

When an innocent princess wanders into the forest, she finds herself trapped between a wolf with a ravenous appetite and a sweet little house with a secret. Meanwhile, a desperate fisherman enters into a very bad bargain with a power-hungry monkey. And meanwhile still, a tiny tricksy tailor promises a promise that not even the most magic of beanstalks can help him escape.

Ms Cherry learns what it feels like to stare down the school bully, to be brave during a trip to the nurse's office and to get down from the monkey bars with the help of her students. It has certainly been a tough day for the teacher and, perhaps, she has learnt something from the students as a result.

The twins, Meret and Bella, love their grandfather, Papa Chagall, and he loves telling them stories. One day, when they visit him in his studio, he tells them about his life. Through four different stories, Papa relates his extraordinary rags to riches journey, from a topsy-turvy cottage in Russia, through the dark years of the war until emerging in the sparkling sunlight of Southern France.

ISBN 9781847806581

Series
Famous artists (Anholt) series
(10 books)

Publisher Frances Lincoln, 2015

Anholt, Laurence

9559

Thank you for my yukky present

Charlie is very excited about a present from his Grandma. He is very disappointed when it appears to be just a boring handknitted jumper. But then the jumper takes him on an adventure.

The brown street rat lives in a trash can in Grubby Alley, longing to be someone's pet, someone with an interest in cheese. He knows plenty of animals who are pets. When Mr. Fortesque mistakes him for a cat, life changes.

ISBN 9781841212760

Publisher Orchard Books, 2003

Child, Lauren

The Naughtiest reindeer series

Any two titles read from this series can be included as official Challenge books; up to five more titles can be included as your personal choice books. To see the individual book titles and their PRC ID numbers, go to the Series lists on the Booklists page, on the website. Or, you can search for a series name or the individual titles by using the Search function on the top left hand corner of the screen.

Series
The Naughtiest reindeer series
(4 books)

Various

The very bear series

Any two titles read from this series can be included as official Challenge books; up to five more titles can be included as your personal choice books. To see the individual book titles and their PRC ID numbers, go to the Series lists on the Booklists page, on the website. Or, you can search for a series name or the individual titles by using the Search function on the top left hand corner of the screen.

Series
The very bear series
(6 books)

Bland, Nick

98384

Think of an eel

The fascinating life story and migration of an eel from the Sargasso Sea until the time comes for its eighty day journey home to spawn.

Alemitu lives with her mother in a poor village in Ethiopia, where she must walk miles for water. Life is difficult, hunger roars in her belly and Alemitu dreams of knowing more about the world. When her mother has no choice but to leave her at an orphanage, Alemitu's life changes dramatically when she is adopted by an American family. Although her life improves, she never forgets her homeland and the mother.

ISBN 9780802723079

Publisher Bloomsbury, 2014

Ieronimo, Christine & Velasquez, Eric (ill)

42170

This girl that girl

This girl is kinda neat and tidy and likes to do things like this. She likes things to be organised. Right next door lives that girl who likes to do things like that. She's not so tidy. and likes things to be a little unexpected. Although they are neighbours, the girls are miles apart. But, one day, with a little help from their dads, the girls make a surprising discovery.

The Great Barrier Reef's environs and inhabitants, and the delicate relationship between the two, are explored in this unusual ecosystem. A prose poem with vibrant illustrations provides a glimpse into an unseen, underwater world.

When a moose came to Wilfred, he just knew it was meant to be his, so he named him Marcel and made him his pet. Marcel was very obedient and followed some rules better than others, but when someone else claims the moose as theirs, Wilfred is very surprised.

Grace and her parents are returning home, to a home she only just remembers, of a swing in her backyard, the warm hugs of grandparents and friends playing in her backyard. Will it all be waiting for her at home.

Born in a flower, tiny Thumbelina braves the enormous, dangerous world until, through her kindness and courage, she is delivered to a kingdom of people just her size.

ISBN 9780525475088

Publisher Dutton Children's Books, 2005

Anderson, Hans Christian & Ehrlich, A (retell) & Jeffers, S (ill)

5550

Thunder horse

A young girl is given a tiny magical horse by her aunt. It is a very special horse because as it grows it develops wings. As much as the girl loves the horse she knows that one day she will have to let Pegasus go.

ISBN 9781626724433

Publisher Roaring Book Press, 2017

Bunting, Eve & Nolan, Dennis (ill)

37898

Tick tock tick tock what's up croc

A day in the life of a remarkable reptile that has been around since the days of the dinosaurs.

A tired, old tiger dreams of a life of comfort and companionship. In desperation, he takes the place of the rug under the table where the rajah and his family share their meals. The tiger loves his new surroundings until, one night, burglars break into the palace and he has to decide whether to stay in disguise as a rug or save the rajah from a horrible beating.

ISBN 9781408813034

Publisher Bloomsbury, 2011

Rose, Gerald

120135

Tigerfin and the ferry children

Children on board Captain Harry's dolphin cruiser eagerly watch for bottlenose dolphins swimming alongside the ferry, shooting out of the water and making dolphin circles. Tigerfin just can't do the circles despite practising over and over. But, Tigerfin discovers that he has another talent that the children will want to see.

A beautifully told nature story about a tigress and her cubs, with lots of true facts about tigers. When a tigress runs her strong muscles 'ripple her body like wind on water' and tiger cubs have loose skin on their necks for a reason.

Beautifully-illustrated book based on an Old Testament Bible passage. Set in rural South Africa, it shows the cycle of life in a simple, sensitive and enriched way.

ISBN 9781845073442

Publisher Frances Lincoln, 2006

Daly, Jude

7943

To the top end: our trip across Australia

Henry, Penny, Frankie, Mum and Dad embark on an exciting adventure from Tassie to the very tip of the Top End. Travel with them on the ferry across Bass Strait to the mainland, through Kelly country, along the Murray, into the Flinders Ranges, underground at Coober Pedy, overhead at the Olgas, overland to the Great Sandy Desert, with the fishes at the Great Barrier Reef, deep into the Daintree, and kayaking at Kakadu.

It's very cold in Antarctica and the ship Terra Nova is crowded with men and animals. Sailor,Tom MCrean, is looking for a quiet, cosy place for his pet rabbit. A true story based on the diaries of men who sailed on the ship.

Meet Torty. She's one tough little tortoise with a beat-up shell and some missing toes. Torty survived a great war that raged in Europe one hundred years ago. She was recused back then by a young Kiwi soldier. Torty is truly a World War One survivor.

In a little house in a dark forest, a toymaker lives all alone. One day, a small brown bird is drawn to the magic sounds of the toymaker's violin. Together they make music so enchanting that even the trees shiver and murmur in wonder. But as the seasons change, the little bird dreams of the wide open sky.

High on a mist-wrapped mountain, a mother panda cradles her newborn, pink and impossibly small. The bamboo patch they need for food is dying and, as soon as her baby is old enough, they must seek a new home, sleeping in trees and swimming across icy streams along the way. Follow one of nature's most magnificent and endangered species on its search for a safe habitat.

Square-jawed and equipped with combat boots, scuba gear, space suit, and camouflage, Traction Man overcomes evil pillows, dastardly brooms, a poisonous dishcloth and a wicked spade. Traction Man has an action outfit for every occasion. He is the last word in heroic fashion flair until he is presented with an outfit, knitted by his owner's granny.

ISBN 9780224064958

Publisher Random House Australia Pty Ltd, 2005

Grey, Mini

7651

Traction Man meets Turbodog

Traction Man sets out on his greatest rescue mission yet. He must try to save Scrubbing Brush from the evil Bin Things. And, find room in his life for two pets.

ISBN 9780224070485

Publisher Jonathan Cape, 2008

Grey, Mini

96658

Tram to Bondi Beach, The

A young boy's love of trams leads him to a paper boy job and the desire to drive trams as a living. Shows Sydney and its Bondi trams of the 1950s and 1960s.

Zallah and her mother escape from their war-torn country. On arrival in Australia are placed in a detention centre. Zallah struggles with the reasons she is placed in this situation.

ISBN 9781921042195

Publisher New Frontier Publishing, 2007

Marin, Gabiann & Grantford, Jacqui

12426

Turtle's song

A journey of a Green Turtle, an endangered creature, from a hatchling beneath the sand of a coral beach to adulthood, returning to lay eggs of her own. The story is beautifully illustrated with silk paintings.

Two monsters live on either side of a mountain. Sometimes, they talk through the hole in the mountain but they never see each other. One evening, they get into a silly argument about whether day is departing or night is arriving, and this escalates into a rock throwing fight, which eventually destroys the mountain. The monsters finally get to see each other, with surprising results.

Numbat has two hearts, one of stone and one of feather. His stone heart makes him strong and powerful while his feather heart makes him soft and gentle. When having more than one heart becomes troublesome, Numbat must choose which one to keep.

A UFO is lost in space until it spots a strange, blue planet. Zooming in for a closer look, the UFO discovers a curious creature watching it. They quickly become friends for one unforgettable afternoon.

ISBN 9781842705919

Publisher Andersen Press Ltd, 2007

Kitamura, Satoshi

102990

Ugly fish

Ugly fish doesn't like to share, so much so, he makes certain he doesn't have anyone to share with. However, this comes at a cost including loneliness and more.

ISBN 9780152050825

Publisher Harcourt Children's Books, 2006

Lareau, Kara & Magoon, Scott (ill)

20187

Ugly five, The

We're the ugly five, we're the ugly five. Everyone flees when they see us arrive. Meet Wildebeest and Warthog, Spotted Hyena, Lappet-faced Vulture and Marabou Stork. People call them the Ugly Five...but are they really?

ISBN 9781407174198

Publisher Scholastic UK, 2017

Donaldson, Julia & Scheffler, Axel (ill)

31121

Under my bed

When confronted by our fears sometimes it's much more fun to just join in.

ISBN 9780994384133

Publisher Berbay Publishing, 2018

Dickson, John & Guridi (ill)

25821

Under the love umbrella

Whatever you fear, come close my dear. You're tucked in safe for always here. And I will never not be near. Because of our love umbrella.

There is jealousy between a goldfish and the family's new dog. The goldfish goes through a some traumatic experiences before an unlikely friendship occurs.

ISBN 9781862916845

Publisher Omnibus Books, 2007

Dallimore, Paul

84015

Uugghh

Slug feels completely unloved by the world and can't help feeling it may have something to do with appearances. Happily, new-found friend Spider is on hand to explain that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

ISBN 9781846433726

Publisher Child's Play International Ltd, 2011

Boldt, Claudia

29958

Van Gogh and the sunflowers

Young Camille befriends a strange visitor to his small town and, one day, he brings this man a gift of bright, beautiful sunflowers. The man is the artist Vincent van Gogh and the sunflowers quickly become the subject of a magnificent painting.

ISBN 9780764138546

Series
Famous artists (Anholt) series
(10 books)

Publisher Barron's Educational Series, 2007

Anholt, Laurence

12581

Vegetable ark, The: A tale of two brothers

In this twist on the original tale of Noah's Ark, Noah has a brother, Neil. Noah is wealthy and a bit of a show-off. Neil hums songs about peace. Noah brokers deals with a tense frown, while Neil wears his hair long and chats dreamily to pot plants. When it rains for forty days and forty nights, the race to find land is on.

In the Jingle Jangle Jungle on a wet and windy day, four little friends find a cosy place to play. Moose has marvellous antlers, Lion wears a golden mane, Zebra has fantastic stripes and Sheep, well, Sheep is plain. However, when the four friends encounter a cranky bear, it is plain, boring Sheep who has the answer.

Follow an appealing cast of characters through their everyday lives, both at work and at play. Charge into a Viking battle, watch skilful ship builders at work, visit a Viking farmstead and listen to fireside tales about the Viking gods.

ISBN 9781845074654

Series
Fly on the wall series
(4 books)

Publisher Frances Lincoln, 2006

Manning, Mick & Granstrom, Brita (ill)

4698

Walk with a wolf

Come on a spellbinding journey to the far, wild north, to the Yukon territory of north-western Canada, and meet one of the world's most magnificent, yet misunderstood, creatures, the wolf. Be part of the pack and walk, run, howl, hunt, eat, sleep and dream like a wolf. Accompanied by a CD.

It is hot and dry and everyone is thirsty. Dougy and his sisters hand water the baby animals on the farm and can't remember the last time it rained. Dougy dreams of being a water witcher like his grandfather.

Wesley is an outsider, friendless and tormented by his peers and unhappy with the 'sameness' of everyone. His answer is to create his own world. Wesley grows a garden and makes his own food, clothes, games and language.

ISBN 9781406313758

Publisher Walker Books, 2007

Fleischman, Paul & Hawkes, Kevin (ill)

12771

Wetlands

In the tropical north of Australia, magpie geese gather round a billabong. The land is dusty, the rivers have shrunk and the dry months drag on. At last the sky darkens and lightning and thunder appear, the much-needed rains begin.

Whacko the chook tries and tries again to find a friend without success. Eventually Whacko finds the love she is looking for by just getting on with what she should be doing and never letting others get her down.

ISBN 9780734409843

Publisher Lothian Books, 2007

Svendsen, Mark & Redlich, Ben (ill)

7962

What do grown-ups do all day

If you've ever wondered what grown-ups do all day, this book will give you a fascinating insight into more than one hundred jobs, in fifteen diverse work places such as a farm, a hospital, a hotel, a gym and a school.

ISBN 9781847808097

Publisher Wide Eyed Editions, 2016

Morgand, Virginie

5777

What I can learn from the incredible and fantastic life of Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey has inspired millions of people around the world. This illustrated biography about the fantastic life of the Queen of Media, shows a new generation that they can do anything they put their minds to. This new series of illustrated biographies highlights contemporary innovators, leaders and visionaries in order to motivate and inspire the leaders of tomorrow.

Steve Jobs was a visionary who changed the world with his inventions and designs. This illustrated biography about the fantastic life of Steve inspires younger generations to dream big and believe in themselves. This new series of illustrated biographies highlights contemporary innovators, leaders and icons in order to motivate and inspire the leaders of tomorrow.

Emma would really like to know what love is. When she asks her family, they all give different answers, like sharing a piece of cake or a game of football. But what she really wants to know is it's colour, shape, taste and size.

Aliko watches a caterpillar on the windowsill going through metamorphoses until it becomes a butterfly. It makes Aliko realise that life's struggles are worthwhile because they can produce something beautiful in the end.

Mumu is not quite herself today. She is, quite simply, having a lousy day. Enter Lox. He thinks he knows how to cheer her up. But, Mumu is having none of it. Nothing works and she's not feeling better. As good friends do, Lox continues to try until he gets annoyed and picks up the bad mood.

ISBN 9780007463091

Publisher HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, UK, 2015

Mackintosh, David

5898

When a Zeeder met a Zyder

An uplifting story in verse about two unusual characters who set out to find someone similar to themselves. They cross paths several times and eventually decide to help each other on their quests. A surprising friendship results.

Breakfast, lunch or dinner, young Julius is never around when it's time to eat. His parents fix trays of food to deliver to him while he's busy digging to the other side of the world or riding a camel. One night, they can't find Julius anywhere.

ISBN 9780099414292

Publisher Random House Children's Books, 2001

Burningham, John

8636

Where's Stripey

Father emu is in charge of thirty eggs. Once hatched, he finds it difficult to keep track of all the chicks and, inevitably, Stripey goes missing. Leaving the remaining chicks with his mates, dad sets off through the bush to find Stripey.

A young boy helps his grandfather build a box for a barn owl and install it in a nearby tree. Together, they wait and watch in this beautifully told simple story that includes factual information about these captivating creatures.

Trixie Twinkle Toes doesn't want a maid to plump her cushions. She doesn't want a butler to carry her over puddles. Trixie wants to roll in the mud and paddle in the puddles. Trixie may look like a prancing, poodley poodle but she just wants to be able to do the things that other dogs do.

ISBN 9780141502465

Publisher Puffin UK, 2011

Child, Lauren

9519

Who's afraid of the big, bad book

Herb falls right into a storybook of wicked fairy tales while sleeping. Find out what happens to Herb next.

ISBN 9781840326680

Publisher Hodder & Stoughton, 1990

Child, Lauren

26203

Why I love footy

A young boy, who just loves Aussie Rules football, gets ready to go with his family to watch his favourite team play live. He wears all his footy gear and travels on the train with a bunch of other fans. It's nerve-wracking, waiting to see who will win a close game. At the end, they enjoy singing the club song and having a kick around themselves.

The animals at the zoo select their books and they all treat them in different ways. Comic, rhyming poetry tells about llamas reading while eating their llunches and unruly bears licking illustrations right off the page.

ISBN 9781845076122

Publisher Frances Lincoln, 2007

Sierra, Judy & Brown, Marc (ill)

130922

Winnie at the seaside

Winnie, the witch and her cat, Wilbur, have many exciting adventures. They are on a trip to the seaside. Winnie enjoys herself in the sea while Wilbur sits on a beach towel trying not to get wet. Then, everything starts to go wrong.

ISBN 9780192792006

Series
Winnie the witch series
(6 of 6)

Publisher Oxford University Press, 2005

Thomas, Valerie & Korky, Paul (ill)

108155

Winnie flies again

Winnie loves flying on her broomstick but recently Winnie and Wikbur have had a few mid-air crashes.

ISBN 9780916291945

Series
Winnie the witch series
(4 of 6)

Publisher Kane/Miller, 2000

Thomas, Valerie & Korky, Paul (ill)

14090

Winnie in winter

Winnie the witch is tired of winter so she uses a little magic to bring summer to their garden.

ISBN 9780192723161

Series
Winnie the witch series
(3 of 6)

Publisher Oxford University Press, 1996

Thomas, Valerie & Korky, Paul (ill)

4878

Winnie the witch

Winnie lives in a black house where everything is black, including, of course, her cat, Wilbur. With the help of a little magic, Winnie tries to see Wilbur again.

ISBN 9780192726438

Series
Winnie the witch series
(1 of 6)

Publisher Oxford University Press, 2006

Thomas, Valerie & Korky, Paul (ill)

Winnie the witch series

Any two books from this series may be read as Challenge books and up to five more can be read as personal choice books. Go to the online booklists for the PRC ID of the individual books in this series.

Series
Winnie the witch series
(6 books)

Thomas, Valerie & Korky, Paul (ill)

916

Winnie's flying carpet

Winnie's flying carpet is just what she has always wanted but, when it flies off with Wilbur, her cat, Winnie has to resort to magic to stop the carpet. Ever the resourceful witch, Winnie has an idea to enjoy the carpet in the safety of her own garden.

ISBN 9780192728562

Series
Winnie the witch series
(9 of 6)

Publisher Oxford University Press, 2009

Thomas, Valerie & Korky, Paul (ill)

14149

Winnie's magic wand

Winnie is getting ready for the magic show. When her wand ends up in the washing machine it comes out crumpled and soggy.

ISBN 9780192725417

Series
Winnie the witch series
(2 of 6)

Publisher Oxford University Press, 2002

Thomas, Valerie & Korky, Paul (ill)

847

Winnie's midnight dragon

It's just after midnight. Winnie has gone to bed and is snoring peacefully when Wilbur, her cat, is woken by a strange noise. He goes to investigate and, to his horror, discovers a baby dragon squeezing through his cat-flap.

ISBN 9780192791016

Series
Winnie the witch series
(7 of 6)

Publisher Oxford University Press, 2007

Thomas, Valerie & Korky, Paul (ill)

108215

Winnie's new computer

Winnie loves her computer because all her magic is available at the click of a mouse. She throws away her wand and book of spells but, when her cat pounces on the mouse, things begin to go wrong.

ISBN 9780192791290

Series
Winnie the witch series
(5 of 6)

Publisher Oxford University Press, 2003

Thomas, Valerie & Korky, Paul (ill)

10758

Wishes for one more day

Two Jewish children start to come to terms with the death of their grandfather. Their mother is also grieving but lends strong support and suggests that the children draw and write about how they would spend one more day with him if they could.

ISBN 9780972922579

Publisher Flashlight Press, 2006

Pastor, Melanie Joy & Grantford, Jacqui (ill)

9552

Wishing cupboard, The

When his mother goes away Tran's grandmother shows him a wishing cupboard. They find it full of things, places and special memories.

Dog and wolf are cousins, one tame, one wild, one literate, one not. Their numerous differences lead them to argue, which for Wolf, who is unable to read, is delighted when a good rhyme has been made. Wolf plays upon Dog's fear and responsibility as Boss' protector and Dog playing upon Wolf's inability to read. Neither comes to harm and both remain friends.

ISBN 9781877579387

Publisher Gecko Press, 2013

Heede, Sylvia Vanden & Tolman, Marije (ill)

18683

Wolf's story: what really happened to Little Red Riding Hood, The

As everyone knows, there are usually two sides to every story and if you believe the sharp-toothed villain of Little Red Riding Hood, there is a logical explanation for everything.

ISBN 9781844280162

Publisher Walker Books, 2005

Forward, Toby & Cohen, Izar (ill)

5093

Wolf, the duck & the mouse, The

Early one morning a mouse met a wolf and was quickly gobbled up... When a woeful mouse is swallowed up by a wolf, he quickly learns he is not alone: a duck has already set up digs and, boy, has that duck got it figured out! Turns out it's pretty nice inside the belly of the beast, there's delicious food, elegant table settings and, best of all, dancing. And there's something more: no more fear of being eaten by a wolf! Life's not so bad, considering the alternatives. That is, until a hunter shows up...

ISBN 9781406377798

Publisher Walker Books, 2017

Barnett, Mac & Klassen, Jon (ill)

18526

Wolves

Rabbit visits a library to read important facts about wolves, such as where wolves live, how many teeth they have and what they like to eat. No rabbits were eaten during the making of this book.

ISBN 9781405050821

Publisher MacMillan, 2005

Gravett, Emily

22629

Wombat goes to school

She eats, she sleeps, she scratches. When a wombat goes to school, anything is possible.

Open the gates of the Wonder Garden to explore five extraordinary habitats. Trek through the Amazon Rainforest, home to an incredible variety of plants, animals and birds. Travel to the Chihuahuan Desert, where conditions are fierce and the fearsome survive. Dive in the Great Barrier Reef, where the weird and miraculous exist together. Creep into the Black Forest, a dark and densely wooded region. Stand on the roof of the world, the Himalayan Mountains, to encounter majestic wildlife that is remarkably good at camouflage.

The neighbours have moved out and now there is no one living next door, peace and quiet at last, so Dad can do his yoga and be happy. Then Tubby, Ferret and King Wally Kahuna move in. They love throwing parties and playing air guitar. Worst of all, they are yobbos and everyone knows that yobbos and yoga don't mix.

When a Traveller family experiences a run of bad luck, an imaginative boy called Yokki lifts their spirits with tales of a magical white horse. A traditional Romani tale.

ISBN 9781846439261

Publisher Child's Play International Ltd, 2016

O'Neill, Richard & Quarmby, Katharine & Nelissen, Marieke (ill)

84304

You and me: our place

Uncle Tobias is the fisherman Elder of an Aboriginal family. The story follows a typical day on the beach for the mob, collecting bush tucker and celebrating with family. Uncle Tobias tells stories of the original use of the Land, and remains almost oblivious to the many changes that the coming of Europeans made to this beach locale.

First Lizzie Thompson's cat disappears. Then Lizzie herself. Ms Wiz has a mission: to find the missing pair. Who will be the next to go missing? PC Boote hopes it will be Ms Wiz. This is the third title in the Ms Wiz series.

ISBN 9780330347655

Series
Ms Wiz series
(3 of 18)

Publisher MacMillan, 1996

Blacker, Terence & Ross, Tony (ill)

3062

You're only young twice

An almost wordless picture book. The bright, entertaining illustrations show how older people interact with the young in all sorts of situations, at meals, out of doors, keeping fit and sharing stories, not to mention enjoying music, art and special occasions.

ISBN 9781842708569

Publisher Andersen Press Ltd, 2008

Blake, Quentin

15042

Zen shorts

These Zen tales involve a poor man giving gifts to a robber, a farmer who realises there are silver linings to dark clouds and a monk who must learn to let go of his burdens.

Any two titles read from this series can be included as official Challenge books; up to five more titles can be included as your personal choice books. To see the individual book titles and their PRC ID numbers, go to the Series lists on the Booklists page, on the website. Or, you can search for a series name or the individual titles by using the Search function on the top left hand corner of the screen.

Series
Zen tails series
(5 books)

Whitfield, Peter & Bevington, Nancy (ill)

127080

Zen tails: Are you sure

Beaver thinks that winning the race and receiving his prize is good. He believes that falling out of a tree and into the river is bad. Shri Shelly suggests that you never can be certain about these things.

ISBN 9781921042843

Series
Zen tails series
(5 books)

Publisher New Frontier Publishing, 2006

Whitfield, Peter & Bevington, Nancy (ill)

110441

Zen tails: Bruno dreams of ice cream

Everyone has an ice-cream except Bruno and he can't get ice-cream off his mind. Bruno's teacher, a martial arts master, shows how focused attention and caring for others brings freedom, happiness and even ice-cream.

ISBN 9780975090718

Series
Zen tails series
(5 books)

Publisher New Frontier Publishing, 2004

Whitfield, Peter & Bevington, Nancy (ill)

11621

Zen tails: Know it all, The

The lazy cat, Furball, believes dhe knows everything. But, when disaster strikes, Furball discovers that being a 'know it all' simply means being all washed up

ISBN 9781921042331

Series
Zen tails series
(5 books)

Publisher New Frontier Publishing, 2009

Whitfield, Peter & Bevington, Nancy (ill)

17150

Zen tails: No presents please

Grizzel Bear is angry. He stomps on flowers, he grumbles and he complains. He meets Guru Walter Wombat, who is full of love and compassion. Walter refuses to accept Grizzel's anger and eventually the anger dissolves.

ISBN 9780975090749

Series
Zen tails series
(5 books)

Publisher New Frontier Publishing, 2004

Whitfield, Peter & Bevington, Nancy (ill)

17149

Zen tails: Up and down

The story of a very bored monkey with absolutely nothing to do. Shri Shelley, a tortoise, shows Monkey that it is up to him to stop being bored and not to rely on others for his entertainment.

ISBN 9780975090732

Series
Zen tails series
(5 books)

Publisher New Frontier Publishing, 2004

Whitfield, Peter & Bevington, Nancy (ill)

8194

Ziba came on a boat

A moving story about a little girl whose family has lost almost everything. Ziba, her mother, and other women and children from a tiny village escape the approaching war in Afghanistan to travel in an overcrowded fishing boat to a new life and freedom.